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The ultimate goal of my research interests is to develop better therapies for improving human life. To reach this goal, my research interests are divided into three key aspects, which are discussed in detail below. All of these aspects have a common goal of creating novel biomaterials using high-throughput fabrication techniques and understanding the interaction of these materials with the human body using molecular and experimental approaches. This understanding allows for better biomaterials-based treatment strategies, with the ultimate goal of going from benchtop to the clinic.
Aspect 1: Understanding and harnessing intrinsic properties of biomaterials.
The field of biomaterials has evolved greatly in the past few decades. With more and more use of biomaterials (like liposomes for mRNA delivery for COVID-19), it is important to understand the intrinsic properties of biomaterials and make the utmost use of them. Thus, one aspect of my project involves using molecular and omics techniques like transcriptomic, proteomics, and metabolomics to characterize the interaction between materials and immune cells. This will help us understand the impact of certain material properties (e.g., stiffness) on how immune cells behave. This understanding will give us a better means to control specific signaling processes in immune cells using biomaterials.
Figure source: Shah, S., Oakes R., Kapnick, S. & Jewell, C. “Mapping the mechanical and immunological profiles of polymeric microneedles to enable vaccine and immunotherapy applications”. Frontiers in Immunology, 13, 843355 (2022)
Intrinsic immunogenic properties (gene expression of common cytokines) and mechanical properties of microneedle matrices characterized using RT-qPCR and Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA), respectively.
An advanced biomaterial (Bi-functional nanozyme) was fabricated by functionalizing Iron-oxide nanoparticles with glucose oxidase for treating dental biofilms.
Aspect 2: Developing advanced biomaterials to tackle biomedical problems.
Biomaterials, if designed properly, have the ability to solve complex biomedical problems. Thus, this aspect of my research involves designing biomaterials with specific properties and utilizing them to solve complex biomedical problems. These properties include properties like surface functionalization, charge, size, shape, intrinsic properties (like immunogenicity, stiffness), catalytic activity, etc. For example, surface functionalization of nanoparticles with a certain targeting moiety can help target specific cell populations involved in a disease, reducing off-target side effects.
Figure source: Huang, Y., Liu, Y., Shah, S., Kim, D., Simon-Soro, A., Ito, T. & Koo, H. “Precision targeting of bacterial pathogen via bi-functional nanozyme activated by biofilm microenvironment”. Biomaterials, 268, 120581 (2021)
Aspect 3: Methods for high-throughput fabrication of novel biomaterials for better translation.
Effective real-world implementation of biomaterials requires translation of bench-scale success to commercially scalable manufacturing. Thus, this aspect of my research involves using and developing high-throughput and commercially scalable manufacturing techniques for advanced biomaterials. The high-throughout techniques involve techniques like photolithography, nanoimprint lithography, and 3D printing.
Examples of publications that highlight some high-throughput fabrication techniques:
Suh, Y., Wen, C., Shah, S. & Watson, G.P. “A graphene pH sensor fabrication process for a nanotechnology laboratory course”. Journal of the Society for Information Display (2022)
Shah, S. & Watson, G.P. “Effect of annealing on the contact resistance of aluminum on a p-type substrate”. University of Pennsylvania Scholarly Commons (2019)
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