Our group works to develop polymeric biomaterials from the nanoscale to the macroscopic scale. Specifically, we develop functional nanomaterials and stimuli-responsive biomaterials that can be used to detect, diagnose, monitor, and treat cancer and other diseases.

• Design of novel biomaterials that have specific properties at the molecular level to mediate their interaction with tissues, cells, and biomolecules.
• Synthesis of linear and branched biocompatible copolymers by polymerization and conjugation techniques and characterization by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy
• Preparation of nanostructures and characterization via dynamic light scattering, scanning and electron microscopy, and absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy.
• Functionalization of nanostructures with fluorescent molecules, targeting agents, or shielding moelcules to improve their bioactivity.
• In vitro confirmation of the function of the nanstructures by investigating their behavior as a function of pH, enzymatic activity, ligand concentration, temperature, light or external triggers.
• Evaluation of the material’s potential for biomedical purposes by studying the compatibility (nontoxicity) and interaction of these structures with biological molecules and cultured cell models of disease through biochemical assays, spectroscopic assays and optical/fluorescence microscopy.