Invited
Mucin and jellyfish-based biocomposites

Proteins form the very basis of life. They regulate a variety of activities in all known organisms, from replication of the genetic code to transporting oxygen, and are responsible for regulating the cellular machinery and determining the phenotype of an organism. From a material science point of view, proteins can serve as excellent building blocks for the development of new structures, composites, and devices. In this talk, I will cover some of our efforts in this direction. These include : (I) A stable biofilm for White LED applications. This bio-composite material, entirely composed of biological- (crystalline nano-cellulose and porcine gastric mucin) and organic- (light-emitting dyes) compounds that exhibit excellent optical and mechanical properties as well as resistance to heat, humidity, and UV radiation. (II) A protein templated synthesis for the formation of inorganic nanostructures. (III) Jelly-fish based smart wound dressing templates, and (IV) strong coupling of light-harvesting proteins to metal surfaces.

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