My research focuses on understanding how different types of confinement and environmental factors, such as co solvents and thermal energy variations, impact water dynamics and protein conformations in bio-nano interfaces. This work explores the intricate interactions between confined water, proteins, and their surrounding environments, with implications for understanding biological processes and potential applications in nano biotechnology.
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Our research investigates the unique behaviors of confined water within single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), a topic of growing interest since the discovery of graphene sheets and CNTs nearly seven decades ago. These materials hold significant potential for applications in cost-effective biosensors and nanofiltration devices. Previous studies indicate that water molecules can flow through hydrophobic confinement by adopting either a single chain-like structure or distinct layering, depending on nanochannel dimensions. Building on our earlier findings of anomalous water behavior in the presence of the cosolvent, our current study demonstrates the interplay between density deviation and dynamical fluctuations of confined water molecules at various time points across variable length scales of the carbon nanotube in the presence or absence of hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP).
Our recent study shows that confinement and reduced thermal energy significantly influence protein conformational states, affecting folding propensities and compressibility by narrowing structural and thermodynamic distinctions across variable protein states. Hydration layer entropy, which varies with conformation in bulk, becomes uniform under confinement. These changes, linked to protein-water hydrogen bonding dynamics, highlight the complex interplay within bio-nano environments. These insights may leverage further research on biologically relevant interfaces, enhancing mechanistic understanding and potential applications.
My current research focuses on exploring topological confinement using covalent organic frameworks (COFs), which have been established as promising materials in addressing neurodegenerative disorders. I aim to investigate the interactions between complex biomolecules and these nanosurfaces to understand their potential role in strategies for mitigating protein misfolding diseases.
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