Research

Our research focuses on the fundamentals and application of nanoscale protein materials to address challenges in biological systems. Proteins are biological polymers that fold and assemble into sophisticated nanoscale structures. Harnessing protein folding and interactions for nanotechnology represents a powerful bottom-up approach to engineering materials with unprecedented functions and properties. We investigate the genetic sequences, folding, and interactions of protein building blocks, and leverage our understanding to design protein nanomaterials. By integrating protein modeling, computational protein design, and synthetic biology, we study and engineer protein-protein interactions that direct the controlled assembly of protein nanostructures. Our learnings from these fundamentals are translated into the development of novel protein nanomaterials to address critical challenges in biomanufacturing, human health, and sustainability.