Functionalized Nanomaterials at the Interface of Biology and Technology
| Category | Online Presentations |
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| Abstract | Nanomaterials, such as block copolymeric membranes and nanodiamonds, can be engineered for a broad range of applications in energy and medicine. This presentation will highlight the relevance of these materials as foundations for device fabrication across the spectrum of biology and technology. For example, we will address the application of biomimetic membranes as matrices for protein reconstitution toward the fabrication of bio-inspired energetic systems. Preserved protein functionality as well as coupling was observed and confirmed through a wide range of assays, demonstrating the potential utility of biology as inspiration for practical device development. In addition to energy applications, copolymer and diamond-based nanomaterials have been applied toward controlled and localized drug delivery for applications in anti-inflammation to protect against implant rejection, and chemotherapy to enhance treatment efficacy by preventing generalized drug elution. Our laboratory has developed nanopolymer and nanodiamond-based therapeutic technologies via material functionalization with anti-inflammatory and chemotherapeutic molecules. This technique has allowed the platform materials to serve as broadly applicable therapeutic delivery systems. In addition to dramatically inhibiting the expression of multiple inflammation genes in vitro, these materials were capable of slowly eluting a potent chemotherapeutic in a slow release fashion via drug sequestering behavior. Furthermore, in vivo studies using copolymeric interfaces demonstrated material-enabled implant cloaking in an animal model which is envisioned to significantly impact the chronicity of implant functionality. We also interrogated the cyto-regulatory networks via cytokine expression levels (IL-6, TNFα, iNOS) via quantitative PCR and found that the copolymers/nanodiamonds interface well with their surrounding biological environment at a genetic level. Monitoring of internal cellular processes as well as cytokine release at the tissue-nanomaterial interface revealed the absence of basal cellular inflammatory responses for both the nanopolymers and nanodiamonds. |
| Bio | 
Dean Ho is currently an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering in the Robert R. McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science, and Full Member of the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center at the Feinberg School of Medicine of Northwestern University where he directs the Laboratory for Nanoscale Biotic-Abiotic Systems Engineering (N-BASE).
His research has covered emerging areas of bio-nano-technology and protein-functionalized materials. Dr. Ho and his colleagues were the first to develop nanodiamond materials for therapeutic delivery. In addition, Dr. Ho has been among the first to demonstrate the coupling of protein function with a polymer film to fabricate nano energy conversion systems. This work was published in a Cover Article in the peer-reviewed journal, Nanotechnology as well as a featured article in Nanotechnology. He has published over 80 peer-reviewed journal and conference papers in the areas of nanomedicine, drug delivery, and nanomaterials. Currently, Dr. Ho is investigating the fabrication of nanodiamond-based technologies for drug delivery, glucocorticoid-functionalized materials as anti-inflammatory coatings to enhance implant biocompatibility, as well as localized and targeted chemotherapy using novel nanomaterial devices. Dr. Ho's extensive research achievements have garnered news coverage on CNN.com, Nature, United Press International, Reuters, Yahoo, MICRO/NANO, as well as BBC Radio. Dr. Ho is currently an Associate Editor of the Journal of Nanotechnology Law and Business, Journal of Biomedical Nanotechnology, and Advanced Science Letters, and is a member of Sigma Xi. He was recently selected as one of 15 cancer researchers in the nation for a V Foundation for Cancer Research V Scholars Award, and honored by the New Faces of Engineering National Award presented by IEEE. |
| Cite this work | Researchers should cite this work as follows: |
| Time | 01:30 PM, December 07, 2007 |
| Location | Northwestern University, Evanston, IL |
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