Yong Wang, Pennsylvania State University-University Park, DMR The objective of this INSPIRE project is to apply nature and biology as design guidelines in the creation of new generation of smart materials. Over the past few decades, the field of materials science has evolved from the study of inert materials to the design of active materials. However, currently available active materials mostly need physical stimulation from light, temperature, ultrasound, electricity, and magnetism. While physical stimulation is very important, many of these stimuli rely on complicated instruments and operations. Thus, the main thrust of this project is to develop surfaces with the principle of molecular programming. To test the hypothesis, we have modified the surface with one set of oligonucleotides with specific binding capabilities. Hybrid oligonucleotides with nanomaterial cargo-carrying drugs can be used to program the surface of materials on the nano or macroscopic levels. Figure 1. Nanoparticles are programmed to acquire affinity DNA polymers that can be used to sequester any molecule of interest for broad applications such as drug detoxification, drug delivery or molecular sensing. INSPIRE: Programming Materials via Biomolecular Engineering Over the past year, we have applied nucleic acid engineering technologies to program the functionalities of nanoparticles and extracellular matrix by mimicking jellyfish tentacles. Our results show that oligonucleotide monomers can be mutated on nanoparticle surface or ECM. Moreover, their mutation can lead to their hybridization and growth. As a result, nanoparticles or ECM can be programmed to acquire different properties. Representative paper acknowledging this award: Chen N, Huang Y, Wang Y., Bioinspired affinity DNA polymers on nanoparticles for drug sequestration and detoxification. BIOMATERIALS. Published online; DOI: /j.biomaterials

An encouraging and collaborative learning environment can promote students on different levels to learn multiple skill sets. To achieve this goal, we will: ☺ develop a collaborative and encouraging environment that involves multiple students with different background and of different levels; ☺ integrate new knowledge acquired by participating students to biomedical engineering classes such as bioengineering thermodynamics and drug delivery. To achieve broader impacts, we will also: ☺ publish high-quality journal papers; ☺ disseminate our research findings through workshops, and local /international conferences. INSPIRE: Programming Materials via Biomolecular Engineering Outreach via the Materials Day. A PhD student (Mr. Chen) gave a poster presentation to discuss how to make programmable nanoparticles. The purpose of the Materials Day 2013 was to find out the latest progress in designing, synthesizing, and testing new materials and devices from Penn State students, faculty researchers, and distinguished industry leaders. Yong Wang, Pennsylvania State University-University Park, DMR