Yong Wang, Pennsylvania State University-University Park, DMR This CAREER proposal is aimed to create a new generation of biomimetic materials for tissue regeneration and organ repair. It is a challenge to develop biomaterials that can mimic multiple functions of human tissues to provide cells with an optimal living microenvironment. We hypothesize that biomolecular nanostructures with recognition capabilities can be incorporated into support materials as novel effectors for mimicking multiple and complex roles of extracellular matrices (ECMs). As a result, the behavior of cells can be rationally guided. To test this hypothesis and realize the goal, we have applied nucleic acid aptamers and hydrogels to develop a superporous ECM-like material. Our results have shown that this biomimetic material is able to instantaneously and fully sequester a large amount of growth factors without the involvement of any harsh conditions. Moreover, growth factor release can be regulated at needed time points with the desired amounts. This kind of biomaterial with the capability of overcoming problems such as harsh reaction conditions, low drug sequestration efficiency, and difficult growth factor release control has never been developed before our work. Figure 1. This is the first study to show that a biomaterial can control the release of loaded growth factors at any needed time points with the right amounts. 1x and 2x indicate the amounts of molecular triggers. CO: molecular trigger. Representative paper acknowledging this award: Battig MR, Huang Y, Chen N, Wang Y., Aptamer- functionalized superporous hydrogels for sequestration and release of growth factors regulated via molecular recognition. BIOMATERIALS. 2014, 35 (27): CAREER: Creation of Complex Biomimetic Materials via Molecular Recognition

A seamless, encouraging and collaborative learning “stream” can advance scientific discovery and educate the younger generations with 21 st century skills. To achieve this goal, we will: ☺ collaborate with high school teachers to give nanobiotechnology lectures in the Advanced Biology class; ☺ develop a collaborative and encouraging environment that involves students of different levels; ☺ develop and teach a new course focusing on nanobiotechnology and nanobiomaterials. To achieve broader impacts, we will also: ☺ establish a popular science “world of nanobiotechnology” website to educate the public and K-12 students in understanding the significance of biomaterials and nanobiotechnology; ☺ edit a new section in the Handbook of Biomedical Engineering for professional readers to understand the far-reaching and paradigm- shifting implications of nanobiotechnology for drug delivery. Top: Undergraduate and K-12 students receiving the training of synthesizing and characterizing intelligent hydrogels. Bottom: Microscopy images of alginate hydrogels synthesized by the undergraduate and K-12 students. Yong Wang, Pennsylvania State University-University Park, DMR CAREER: Creation of Complex Biomimetic Materials via Molecular Recognition