Synthetic Biomaterials for Health Applications

Abstract

The advances in the material science and engineering has enabled the development of innovative biomaterials for the range of health applications such as drug delivery carriers for drug resistant disorders, engineering of tissue constructs and for water purification technologies. The physiochemical properties of synthetic biomaterials are well-known to impact their biological applications. The tailor–made biologically inspired biomaterials provide an excellent platform to tune the biological properties of synthetic materials, as a function of their physiochemical characteristics such as molecular weight, architecture, and composition. The research program in Ahmed group is focused on the development of novel, biologically inspired materials (polymers, nano particles, composites and hydrogels) for health applications. We are specifically working on the synthesis of vitamin B5 functionalized polymers, peptides, nano particles and hydrogels and are investigating their antifouling and antibacterial efficacies to overcome drug resistant bacterial anomalies in vitro. Other research projects in Ahmed laboratory focus on the synthesis of polymeric hydrogels and composites for water purification and water retention applications and ensure the availability of clean water supply for arid regions.