Designing biomaterials for therapeutics and biosensing

This talk will provide an overview of our recent developments using designer bio-nanomaterials for biosensing and controlled delivery. We are exploiting the sensing capabilities of nanoparticles to engineer detection assays for infectious diseases such as HIV [1], Ebola, tuberculosis and Covid-19, and we integrate them with smartphone technology for patient self-monitoring, geographical tagging and epidemic surveillance [2]. Harnessing our knowledge of the bio-interfaces, we also engineer complex 3D architectures and cell interfacing nanoneedles for multiplexed intracellular biosensing and modulation of biological processes [3]. Our in-depth research on liposomal platforms using neutron scattering is informing the choice of lipid composition and formulation method for biological applications. For example, we have tailored lipid based nanocarriers for ultrasound-triggered hydrogelation to enable in vivo remote remote-triggered drug delivery [4]. I will discuss how these versatile technologies can be applied to transformative biosensing, regenerative medicine and therapeutic applications.

[2] C. Loynachan, M. R. Thomas, E. Gray, D. Richards, J. Kim, B. Miller, J. Brookes, S. Agarwal, V. Chudasama, R. A. McKendry, M. M. Stevens. “Platinum nanocatalyst amplification: redefining the gold standard for lateral flow immunoassays with ultra-broad dynamic range.” ACS Nano. 2018. 12(1): 279-288.

[2] C. S. Wood, M. R. Thomas, J. Budd, T. P. Mashamba-Thompson, K. Herbst, D. Pillay, R. W. Peeling, A. M. Johnson, R. A. McKendry, M. M. Stevens. “Taking connected mobile-health diagnostics of infectious diseases to the field.” Nature. 2019. 566: 467-474.

[3] C. Chiappini, E. De Rosa, J. O. Martinez, X. W. Liu, J. Steele, M. M. Stevens, E. Tasciotti. “Biodegradable silicon nanoneedles delivering nucleic acids intracellularly induce localized in vivo neovascularization.” Nature Materials. 2015. 14: 532-539.

[4] V. Nele, C. E. Schutt, J. P. Wojciechowski, W. Kit-Anan, J. Doutch, J. P. K. Armstrong, M. M. Stevens. “Ultrasound triggered enzymatic gelation.” Advanced Materials. 2020. 32(7):1905914.