The theme of our Nanomedicine Development Center is design of biomimetic nanoconductors and devices utilizing nanoconductors. The model theoretical systems are native and mutant biological channels and other ion transport proteins and synthetic channels, and heterogenous membranes containing channels and transporters. The model experimental systems are engineered protein channels and synthetic channels in isolation, and in self-assembled membranes supported on nanoporous silica scaffolds. The ultimate goal is to understand how biomimetic nanoscale design can be utilized in devices to achieve the functions that membrane transport accomplished in biological systems: a) Electrical and electrochemical signaling, b) generation of osmotic pressures and flows, c) generation of electrical power, and d) energy transduction.
Our Center's broad goals are:
Please see the research section for current research plans.
Our core team is supported by the NIH Roadmap grant, but we are not functionally limited by this particular funded project. We welcome collaborations with all workers with relevant technologies and skills, and aligned interests. These collaborations can be in the form of studies conducted with existing resources, or collaborative grant proposals for new projects aligned with the mission of our Center.
For general scientific and technical issues about the Center, please contact the Director, . For other general issues about the Center, please contact the Programs Coordinator, . To find particular scientific expertise and contact information about other Center participants, please go to People.