Surface Systems: Engineering Nanoparticles to Improve Human Health
The image above depicts a model of the interactions of engineered nanoparticle surfaces (blue) with fluorescent (green) and serum proteins (gold) used for a rapid-response blood test. UMass Amherst nanochemist Vincent Rotello (Chemistry) is engineering nanoparticle surfaces for widespread applications in therapeutics, diagnostics, and tissue engineering. One key challenge Rotello and his research group are addressing is how to design materials to interact in controlled fashion with proteins. Rotello has developed new systems for delivering proteins into cells, as well as surfaces that are highly resistant to protein adhesion, with applications for implantable sensors and other biomedical devices. For his creative and translational research Rotello has been appointed a Distinguished Professor. This research is being conducted through the campus's Center for Hierarchical Manufacturing, an NSF Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center (NSEC). Learn more.
Image credit: Rotello Research Group