Research
Nanotechnology-based approaches are now
poised to revolutionize biology and medicine, as nanotechnologies
offer the means to study and control biological processes
on the appropriate size scale. On the other hand, the
biological world still has much to teach us about the
synthesis and integration of functional complex nanomaterials.
For example, biological systems are far more sophisticated
in directing different biomolecular processes (e.g.,
self-assembly, molecular recognition and catalytic activities)
in a dynamic and cooperative manner, as well as incorporating
stimuli transduction and responsive mechanisms down
to the nanometer scale. Our research interests are to
establish material platforms that will bring in such
biological characteristics for technology applications,
as illustrated in the following two specific areas.
Devising
Supramolecular Architecture for Biological Activities.
Many biological functions involve the formation of protein
complexes, where multiple proteins work in a concerted
manner. The aim of our studies is to engineer such protein
based nanomaterials, whose biological activities will
be controlled by artificial architectures, for medical
and energy applications. The approaches involve utilizing
the highly specific recognition ability of proteins
to design protein units that can assemble into two-
or three-dimensional supramolecular complexes, so as
to achieve responsive and enhanced biological activities,
for example: 1) Developing a dynamic, responsive delivery
system in extracellular microenvironments for biomedical
applications; 2) Engineering artificial cellulosomes
for economical conversion of cellulosic biomass to biofuels.
Regulating
Protein Functions by Forces.
We will focus on bridging the gap in responsive capabilities
between manmade and naturally-occurring nanomaterials,
for biotechnology applications. The approaches involve
using nanostructured synthetic materials to define nano-bio
interface architecture so that macroscopic forces on
the bulk materials can be transduced to individual biological
entities, to control their functions. As mechanical
processes are involved in many biological processes,
understanding and mimicking the mechanisms by which
a physical force could control protein function is important
for us to build new responsive materials, such as force
regulated enzyme devices and dynamic adhesion surfaces.
Recent Publications
1. H. Lu, J. Wang, Y. Lin, & J.
Cheng, "One-pot synthesis of brush-like polymers
via integrated ring-opening metathesis polymerization
and polymerization of amino acids N-carboxyanhydrides,"
J. Am. Chem.Soc., DOI: 10.1021/ja903425x(2009) [Highlighted
in C&EN, Sep. 14, 2009]
2.
W. P. Hall, J. N. Anker, Y. Lin, J. Modica, M. Mrksich
& R. P. Van Duyne, “A calcium-modulated plasmonic
switch,” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 130, 5836–5837 (2008).
3. Y. Lin, A. Böker, J. He, K. Sill, H. Xiang, C. Abetz,
X. Li, J. Wang, T. Emrick, S. Long, Q. Wang, A. Balazs
& T.P. Russell, “Self-directed assembly of nanoparticles/copolymer
mixtures,” Nature 434, 55-59(2005).
4. Y. Lin, A. Böker, H. Skaff, D. Cookson, A.D. Dinsmore,
T. Emrick & T.P. Russell, “Structure and dynamics
of nanoparticle assembly at liquid-liquid interfaces,”
Langmuir 21, 191-194 (2005).
5 . J.T. Russell, Y. Lin (equal contribution), A. Böker,
L. Su, P. Carl, H. Zettl, J. He, K. Sill, R. Tangirala,
T. Emrick, K. Littrell, P. Thiyagarajan, D. Cookson,
A. Fery, Q. Wang & T.P. Russell, “Self-assembly
and cross-linking of bionanoparticles at liquid-liquid
interfaces,” Angew. Chem.-Int. Edit 44, 2420-2426 (2005)
[cover article].
6. H. Skaff, Y. Lin, R. Tangirala, K. Breitenkamp, A.
Böker, T.P. Russell & T. Emrick, “Crosslinked Capsules
of Quantum Dots by Interfacial Assembly and Ligand Crosslinking,”
Advanced Materials, 17, 2082-2086 (2005).
7. H. Xiang, Y. Lin & T. P. Russell, “Electrically
induced patterning in block copolymer films,” Macromolecules
37, 5358-5363 (2004).
8. A. Böker, Y. Lin, K. Chiapperini, R. Horowitz, M.
Thompson, V. Carreon, T. Xu, C. Abetz, H. Skaff, A.D.
Dinsmore, T. Emrick & T.P. Russell, “Hierarchical
nanoparticle assemblies formed by decorating breath
figures,” Nature Materials 3, 302-306 (2004).
9. Y. Lin, H. Skaff, T. Emrick, A. D. Dinsmore &
T. P. Russell, “Nanoparticle assembly and transport
at liquid-liquid interfaces,” Science 299, 226-229 (2003).
10. Y. Lin, H. Skaff, A. Böker, T. Emrick, A. D. Dinsmore
& T. P. Russell, “Ultrathin crosslinked nanoparticle
membranes,” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 125, 12690-12691 (2003).
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