Interfacial Design of Biosystems

Colloidal and interfacial phenomena play a crucial role in the design of biosensors, enabling the precise detection of biological molecules through engineered surfaces that enhance sensitivity and selectivity.     

Rheology of Biomaterials

Studying the rheology of biomaterials, such as living materials, is crucial for understanding the mechanical behavior and functional properties of sustainable materials. Living materials exhibit complex viscoelastic behavior that is influenced by their microstructure, composition, and the interactions between their components. By investigating how these materials deform and flow under different conditions, we provide insights into the physical principles that govern the mechanics of these materials.

Plasmonic Clusters for Sensing

The study of plasmonic clusters for sensing antibodies leverages the unique optical properties of metallic nanoparticles to achieve highly sensitive detection of biomolecules. Plasmonic clusters, which are assemblies of nanoparticles, can amplify local electromagnetic fields when exposed to light, leading to enhanced signals in techniques like surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). When antibodies bind to their target antigens on these clusters, the resulting changes in the optical properties can be precisely measured, allowing for the detection of even minute quantities of biomolecules. This approach has significant potential for developing rapid, label-free biosensors that are highly specific and capable of detecting a wide range of diseases at early stages.

Supported Lipid Bilayer Sensors

We engineer supported lipid membranes to create remarkably stable biotemplates for fundamental studies of molecular recognition.These studies lead to a better understanding of the interplay between lipid membrane structure and surface chemistry.  These lipid bilayers are stable templates for probing lipid interactions with exosomes. Exosomes are small liposomes that enable the long-range systemic exchange of bioactive cargo and function as intercellular signaling organelles.  The process by which they transport through cellular membranes is not well-understood. We have shown that purified exosomes from healthy versus cancerous samples interact with supported membranes with a complex interplay of electrostatic and surface interactions.