Biomaterials​

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Our work in biomaterials revolves around the peptide amphiphiles (PAs), self-assembling molecules that form nanostructures in water. The current projects are described below.

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1) Antibacterial nanostructures. We have recently found the morphology of PA-based nanostructures is a key parameter in the antimicrobial action of these systems (DOI: 10.1021/acsami.8b17808).  The mechanism of action of the nanostructures is related to their ability to disrupt the bacterial membrane. We are currently fine-tuning parameters such as size, hydrophobic ratio, and zeta potential to find a potent nanostructure with low toxicity.  In addition, we try to incorporate know antibiotics within the structure of the PAs to develop hybrid systems with synergistic potential.

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acsami.8b17808

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2) New self-assembling systems.  We are exploring the effect that various solubilizing groups such as polyamines, sugars, and DNA-base pairs have in the self-assembling properties. We recently published a paper detailing the effect that various amines have in the morphology, cell toxicity, and chemical and metabolic stability of peptide-based systems. Our collaborators, Dr. Mario Tagliazucchi and his group, are developing theoretical tools to understand the behavior of these new systems.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/mabi.201700096

https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2018/sm/c8sm00096d/unauth#!divAbstract

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.jpcc.9b04280

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.jpcb.0c01301

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3) Cancer-targeting nanostructures.  We are developing nanostructures of various morphologies to detect and treat colon and prostate cancer (therasnostic systems).

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