Nano to Macro Materials for Multidirectional Healthcare Applications
"Be good to others not because they are good to you, but because you are good."
Research Keywords:
Carbon quantum dots
Polymer synthesis
Polymer nanoparticles
Drug delivery
Crossing the Blood-Brain Barrier
Upconversion nanoparticles
Counterion condensation of polyelectrolytes
Gold/Silver nanoparticles
Bioimaging/Advanced Fluorescence Microscopy
Surface-enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS)
Dr. Ranjit De is an innovative researcher who has received foundational training in polymer science, specifically exploring the physicochemical properties of polyelectrolytes in solution phase. However, he has since ventured into the realm of polymeric nanoparticles, light-responsive nanomaterials, etc., and their applications in various fields. His motivation stems from the conviction that revolutionary technologies can arise when different research areas converge.
One of his notable inventions is a versatile nanocarrier capable of loading and delivering sensitive therapeutics with protein-like properties, while also safeguarding them from degradation caused by heat and enzymes. This technology paves the way to negate the requirement of refrigeration otherwise required for the protection of proteinaceous therapeutics, e.g., vaccines, as the nature does. Consequently, it offers a solution to the challenges associated with transporting sensitive therapeutic materials to remote areas of developing countries lacking refrigeration infrastructure. These significant findings were featured on the cover page of a science journal published by the prestigious Royal Society of Chemistry.
In another recent project, Dr. De devised a simple, rapid, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly method to create nitrogen-enriched carbon quantum dots using a readily available microwave oven. These zero-dimensional nanomaterials exhibited excellent solubility in both aqueous and organic environments, making them suitable for a wide range of applications. These include the development of invisible ink, light-emitting polymeric molds, long-lasting stability on cellulose papers, finger imprinting, metal ion detection, pH sensing, ROS sensing, and bioimaging/drug delivery. Moreover, when these fluorescent graphitic carbon dots were tested on human neuroblastoma cells, they demonstrated exceptional cell viability, reaching approximately 100%. The groundbreaking nature of this work was acknowledged by its selection for highlighting on the cover page of a journal published by the Royal Society of Chemistry.
Dr. De also bears expertise in fabricating molecule sensor using the array of nobel metal nanostructures. Employing the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), the detection of such molecules have been highly successful wven when they were present in extremely low concentrations.
Dr. De's contributions have not gone unnoticed, as he received the esteemed 'J. K. Mittal' award for delivering the best oral presentation on his doctoral research from the Indian Society for Surface Science and Technology. His work has resulted in the publication of over 30 research papers to date, and researchers worldwide are actively utilizing his technologies.
Furthermore, Dr. De's overarching goal is to seamlessly integrate nanomaterials into biological systems, introducing functionalities that surpass the limitations of biology itself. By achieving this objective, he aims to transcend our biological boundaries and enable novel applications of nanomaterials in diverse biological contexts.
His objective is to be enriched with academic excellences through interdisciplinary research that supports proficiency to compete global challenges beyond the fields of nanotechnology, chemistry, biology, and physics to yield purpose driven discovery for societal benefits. He is inquisitive, fun-loving, and always ready to assist and collaborate. He believes “Interdisciplinary research is the future of science, and the measure of success is its real-life impact”.
Dr. Ranjit De, PhD
Research Associate Professor
Biomedical Nanomaterials Lab, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (2023 QS World Univ. Rank 71), Pohang 37673, South Korea.
E-mail: deranjit@postech.ac.kr; deranjit@gmail.com
Postdoctoral Activities
March 2023 ~ Present Research Associate Professor, Biomedical Nanomaterials Laboratory, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), South Korea.
Oct. 2020 ~ Feb. 2023 Next Generation Bio Leader, Research Assistant Professor/Principal Investigator, Molecular Neurophysiology Laboratory, Division of Integrative Biosciences and Biotechnology, Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), South Korea.
June 2019 ~ Sept. 2020 Research Assistant Professor, Principal Investigator, NanoBio Photonics Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 61005, South Korea
Oct. 2015 ~ May 2019 Postdoctoral Fellow/Research Assistant Professor, Photonic Quantum Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju 61005, South Korea
July, 2013 ~ Sept. 2015 Postdoctoral Fellow, Spectroscopy Sensor Laboratory, Advanced Photonics Research Institute (APRI), Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, South Korea.
Nov. 2012 ~ June 2013 Postdoctoral Fellow, Applied Macromolecular Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Nanobio Materials and Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwanjgu 61005, South Korea.
Research Grants
Grant Received – Total KRW 300,000,000
June 2020 ~ May 2023
Project Title (Brief): Development of Polymeric Nanocarrier for Therapeutic Delivery Across Blood-Brain Barrier and Bioimaging.
Role: Principal Investigator (PI)
Funding Agency: National Research Foundation (NRF), Korea.
June 2017 ~ May 2020
Project Title (Brief): Polyelectrolyte Complex Coacervate for Protein Delivery and Bioimaging.
Role: Principal Investigator (PI)
Funding Agency: National Research Foundation (NRF), Korea
Awards
2021 2nd Best research award by 20th National Conference on Surfactants, Emulsion and Biocolloids, Indian Society for Surface Science and Technology, 9-11 Dec, 2021, hosted by Department of Chemistry, IIT Guwahati, India.
2020 “2020 Individual Creative Challenge Research” grant for 3 years. 2019 ‘Elsevier Reviewer Recognition - 2019’ by Journal of Molecular Liquids.
2017 “2017 Individual Basic Research in Science and Engineering” grant for 3 years.
2011 “J K Mittal Award 2011” from the Indian Society for Surface Science and Technology for best oral presentation of my research work.
1988 3rd Prize Winner (1988) on the Seminar Entitled “National Integrity” from the Government of West Bengal and Khudra Patra Patrika Parishad, India.
Service to Scientific Community
Member. Topical Advisory Panel, Pharmaceutics (IF 5.4), https://www.mdpi.com/journal/pharmaceutics/topical_advisory_panel?search=Ranjit
Review Editor. Nanobiotechnology, Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology (IF 6.064, ISSN 2296-4185); Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences (IF 6.113, ISSN 2296-889X); Polymer Chemistry, Frontiers in Chemistry (IF 5.545; EISSN 2296-2646) (https://loop.frontiersin.org/people/1688988/overview)
Guest Editor. Pharmaceutics, Special Issue: “Polymer Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery” (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/pharmaceutics/special_issues/poly_drug)
Lead Guest Editor. Journal of Chemistry, Special Issue: “Polymers and Upconversion Nanoparticles for Disease Diagnosis and Treatment”. (https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jchem/si/943589/)
Review Editor. Polymer Chemistry, June 2022 ~ Present. Frontiers in Chemistry. (https://loop.frontiersin.org/people/1688988/overview)
Guest Editor. Polymers, Special Issue: “Polyelectrolytes in Interdisciplinary Research: Energy to Biology” (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/polymers/special_issues/UMM4K04W78)
Guest Editor. Polymers, Special Issue: “Polyelectrolytes are Superheroes”. (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/polymers/special_issues/polyelectrolyte)
Lead Topic Editor, Frontiers in Physics, Special Issue: “Nanocarriers for Drug Delivery and Bioimaging”, Soft Mater Physics Section. (https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/33746/nanocarriers-for-drug-delivery-and-bioimaging)
Editorial Board Member. Surface and Colloid Science. Nov. 2020 ~ Present:
Member. Korean Chemical Society. April 2013 ~ Present.
Member. The Korean Society for Biomaterials. 2023 ~ Present.
Reviewer. Jan. 2016 ~ Present: Advanced Functional Materials, ACS Nano; Journal of Materials Chemistry B; RSC Advances; Applied Physics Letter; Journal of Molecular Liquids; Journal of Food Biochemistry; Polymers; Colloid and Polymer Science; Bulletin of Korean Chemical Society; Fibers and Polymers; Pharmaceutics, Journal of Industrial Textiles, Gels, Molecules, etc.