(6h) Peptide- and Protein-Based Functional Biomaterials

Abstract

Research Interests: There continues to be strong interest over the last few decades in the design and engineering of peptide- and protein-based functional nanomaterials. These materials are important in applications for energy, nanotechnology and biomedicine. Thus, the rational design of these materials and their incorporation into emerging applications remains both a challenge and a goal. Some of the challenges include: (a)How to rationally design the biomaterials and predict their self-assembly patterns towards targeted functions, and (b) How to predict translational potential in physiologically-relevant environments,

With the above goals in mind, my research laboratory aims to work on the interface between soft nanotechnology, supramolecular chemistry and biomaterials. My plan is to use nanostructures to generate functional materials via molecular and nanoscale self-assembly via rationally designed peptide-based materials. This will include the study responsive and adaptive self-assembly properties. Such peptide-based assembly can be used to control and direct nanoparticle self-assembly towards specific functions. Special emphasis will be given to peptide-based adaptive, autonomous biomolecular systems in a non-equilibrium environment. In addition, the lab will be working on silk protein-based biomaterials and studies of their crosslinking by enzymatic and non-enzymatic routes for hydrogel formation and for application in different biomedical fields.

For initial investigations, I will leverage my broad research skillset towards three major aims:

• Design, discovery and development of multiple short peptides, their stimuli responsiveness, hydrogel formation and their potential applications as a drug delivery vehicle.
• Peptide- and protein-based materials as soft templates for nanoparticles synthesis and self-assembly
• Investigative multiple non-enzymatic (covalent and non-covalent) routes to crosslink silk-based biomaterials for utility in different fields of biomedicine e.g. drug delivery and scaffolds for tissue engineering.

Prior Research Training: My research training includes chemistry, materials science, peptide- and protein-based biomaterials and supramolecular chemistry. I have led several multidisciplinary research projects to completion that resulted in more than 25 peer reviewed publications to position me to initiate and lead many fundamental and applied research projects in the areas of peptide and protein-based materials.

Doctoral Thesis: Surface functionalization of metal chalcogenide (MQ₂, M= Mo, W, Re, Ti, Zr: Q=S, O) nanoparticles (Advisor: Prof. Wolfgang Tremel)

Postdoctoral Trainings: (Advisors: Prof. Rein Ulijn, Prof. Matthew Webber, Prof. David Kaplan)

1) Biocatalytic self-assembly of aromatic peptide amphiphiles and their stimuli responsiveness

2) Pathway-dependent biocatalytic self-assembly of short peptides and their application in nanomaterials synthesis

3) Synthesis of enzyme responsive dynamic peptide surfaces for mesenchymal stem cell culture

4) Chemical functionalization of silk-based biomaterials, enzymatic and non-enzymatic crosslinking for hydrogel formation and biomedical applications

Teaching Interests: My teaching interests include courses related to materials (e.g. Materials science and engineering) including topical elective courses like Biomaterials, Principles of biomolecular engineering or Nanoscience and nanotechnology, Materials surface engineering for undergraduate and graduate students. I am also comfortable teaching core courses in chemical engineering like Thermodynamics.

I strongly believe teaching is a medium to promote and facilitate learning and to effectively transfer knowledge to establish the next generation of academics as well as informed students. Hence, my teaching philosophy focuses on creating and promoting a dynamic and interactive learning environment where the students are active participants in the classroom and can be mentored to become independent leaders. Learning objectives of the courses, assignments and examinations will be designed to equip students with creative thinking in early stages of their career. In this way, I strive to be a catalyst in different ways to guide their overall education in my classroom while consolidating their strengths and helping improve their areas of weakness, while valuing their diversity.

During my Ph.D., I was a teaching assistant in two undergraduate inorganic laboratory courses (first and second semester students). This was an exciting opportunity for me as a teacher and I was involved in their laboratory experiments, trouble shooting and evaluating their performance. As a research associate, I mentor undergraduate and graduate students to tap their full potential in laboratory research.

Public Outreach and Diversity: My research group will give utmost importance to public outreach and diversity. Students from diverse background will be encouraged to take up science and engineering. Special emphasis will be given to build a diverse group with representation from women, people of different races, disabilities and LGBTQ community, while not compromising merit.

Selected Publications:

1. J. K. Sahoo, M. A. Vandenberg, M. J. Webber, ‘Injectable network biomaterials via molecular and colloidal self-assembly.’ Adv. Drug. Deliv. Rev., 2018, 127, 185-207
2. J. K. Sahoo, C. G. Pappas, I. R. Sasselli, Y. M. Abul-Haija, R. V. Ulijn, ‘Biocatalytic self-assembly cascades.’ Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2017, 56, 6828.
3. J. K. Sahoo, S. Roy, N. Javid, K. Duncan, L. A. Aitken, R. V. Ulijn,’ Pathway dependent gold nanoparticle formation by biocatalytic self-assembly.’ Nanoscale, 2017, 9, 12330.
4. J. K. Sahoo, C. Nazareth, M. A. Vandenberg, M. J. Webber, ‘Self-assembly of amphiphilic tripeptides with sequence dependent nanostructure.’ Biomaterial Science, 2017, 5, 1526.
5. J. K. Sahoo, N. M. S. Sirimuthu, A. Canning, M. Zelzer, D. Graham, R. V. Ulijn ‘Analysis of enzyme responsive peptide surface by Raman spectroscopy.’ Chem. Commun., 2016, 52, 4698.
6. J. K. Sahoo, S. K. M. Nalluri, N. Javid, H. Webb, R. V. Ulijn, ‘Biocatalytic amide condensation and gelation controlled by light.’ Chem. Commun., 2014, 50, 5462.
7. J. K. Sahoo, M. N. Tahir, F. Hoshyargar, B. Nakhjavan, R. Branscheid, U. Kolb, W. Tremel, ‘Molecular camouflage: Making use of protection group chemistry to control the self-assembly of janus particles onto metal chalcogenide nanotubes by pearson hardness.’ Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2011, 50, 12271.
8. J. K. Sahoo, M. N. Tahir, A. Yella, T. D. Schladt, S. Pfeifer, B. Nakhjavan, E. Mugnaioli, U. Kolb, W. Tremel, ‘From single molecule to nanoscopically structured materials: self-assembly of metal chalcogenide/metal oxide nanostructures based on degree of pearson hardness.’ Chem. Mater., 2011, 23 (15), 3907.
9. J. K. Sahoo, M. N. Tahir, A. Yella, T. D. Schladt, E. Mugnaioli, U. Kolb, W. Tremel, ‘Reversible self-assembly of metal chalcogenide/metal oxide nanostructures based on pearson hardness.’ Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2010, 49, 7578.