Novel bio-inspired material: programmed functionalization of peptoid nanosheets

Biological processes have inspired many technological advances. This project is inspired by the way proteins fold into 3D structures. The aim is to utilize a similar process to construct self-assembled nanomaterial with programmable functions. By studying the physicochemical properties of the system can we learn how to tune the process so that we can program any desired function on such surfaces? If we succeed in characterizing the system, then the process will allow synthesis of nanomaterial that has the potential to be used in many biochemical and biological applications. These include nanosheets that will prevent bacterial adhesion to medical devices, bio-nanosheets that can be used for interaction studies with environmental toxins, viruses, virulence molecules, and many others.