Wang Lab Nanostructured Biomaterials Wang Lab Nanostructured Biomaterials Research Summary: The fabrication of novel structures and functional systems at the nanometer-scale is currently an area of enormous potential, but many challenges exist in synthesizing systems at such small sizes. In contrast, biological systems in nature have been highly successful in this endeavor. My research focuses on designing functional nanosystems using a biomimetic approach. Nature-inspired macromolecular structures, capable of self-assembling into higher architectures of nanometer- and micron-sizes, are the basis upon which we engineer new types of materials and fabrication strategies. The detailed control that genetic engineering provides in defining the polymeric architecture of proteins, which can be coupled with synthetic strategies to further extend functionality, is advantageous for creating highly-defined and uniform systems. My research aims to understand the relationship between molecular organization and material characteristics of biomacromolecular systems, and to use this understanding to design biomimetic materials with novel properties. Among the specific research topics under investigation by my group are protein complexes for molecular transport, drug delivery, and vaccine development; novel collagen-based biopolymers for therapeutics and tissue engineering; and molecular strategies for endotoxin removal. Research Summary: The fabrication of novel structures and functional systems at the nanometer-scale is currently an area of enormous potential, but many challenges exist in synthesizing systems at such small sizes. In contrast, biological systems in nature have been highly successful in this endeavor. My research focuses on designing functional nanosystems using a biomimetic approach. Nature-inspired macromolecular structures, capable of self-assembling into higher architectures of nanometer- and micron-sizes, are the basis upon which we engineer new types of materials and fabrication strategies. The detailed control that genetic engineering provides in defining the polymeric architecture of proteins, which can be coupled with synthetic strategies to further extend functionality, is advantageous for creating highly-defined and uniform systems. My research aims to understand the relationship between molecular organization and material characteristics of biomacromolecular systems, and to use this understanding to design biomimetic materials with novel properties. Among the specific research topics under investigation by my group are protein complexes for molecular transport, drug delivery, and vaccine development; novel collagen-based biopolymers for therapeutics and tissue engineering; and molecular strategies for endotoxin removal. Prof. Szu-Wen Wang Associate Professor B.S. Chemical Engineering, University of Illinois (1993) M.S. Chemical Engineering, Stanford University (1994) Ph.D. Chemical Engineering, Stanford University (1999) Prof. Szu-Wen Wang Associate Professor B.S. Chemical Engineering, University of Illinois (1993) M.S. Chemical Engineering, Stanford University (1994) Ph.D. Chemical Engineering, Stanford University (1999) Streptavidin crystal monolayer Polymer-functionalized protein nanoparticles Key Publications: D. Ren, F. Kratz, S.-W. Wang. “Protein Nanocapsules Containing Doxorubicin as a pH-Responsive Delivery System.” Small. 7(8): (2011). M. Shindel, D. Mumm, S.-W. Wang. “Biotemplating of Metallic Nanoparticle Arrays Through Site-Specific Electrostatic Adsorption on Streptavidin Crystal.” Langmuir. 26(11): (2010). S.W.P. Chan, S.-P. Hung, S. Raman, G.W. Hatfield, R. Lathrop, N. A. Da Silva., S.-W. Wang. "Recombinant Human Collagen and Biomimetic Variants Using a De Novo Gene Optimized for Modular Assembly." Biomacromolecules. 11(6): (2010). Key Publications: D. Ren, F. Kratz, S.-W. Wang. “Protein Nanocapsules Containing Doxorubicin as a pH-Responsive Delivery System.” Small. 7(8): (2011). M. Shindel, D. Mumm, S.-W. Wang. “Biotemplating of Metallic Nanoparticle Arrays Through Site-Specific Electrostatic Adsorption on Streptavidin Crystal.” Langmuir. 26(11): (2010). S.W.P. Chan, S.-P. Hung, S. Raman, G.W. Hatfield, R. Lathrop, N. A. Da Silva., S.-W. Wang. "Recombinant Human Collagen and Biomimetic Variants Using a De Novo Gene Optimized for Modular Assembly." Biomacromolecules. 11(6): (2010). Collagen- mimetic polymer Breast cancer cells treated with and without nanoparticles