Research
Our research
Research
Design and Fabrication of Active Micro-Motors and Machine
Self-Propelling Colloids Enabling Biofilm Removals
Self-propelling antimicrobial microbubblers utilize hydrogen peroxide as fuels to penetrate biofilm structures while ejecting oxygen microbubbles.
The resulting microbubbles also collectively exert a mechanical force to disrupt biofilm integrity and, in turn, nullify bacterial resistance to antibiotics.
Soft manipulator
A soft manipulator can manipulate and transport cell/tissue sheets and ultrathin biosensing devices seamlessly. The manipulator exploits temperature-responsive hydrogel layer to capture/release the objects by recapitulating how a cephalopd’s suction cup works.
Engineering of organoids and microphysiological systems
Neuromuscular organoids
The nanogrooved substrates with proper groove width facilitated the formation of mature and aligned myotube and neuron toward the assembly of the physiologically functional muscle.
Blood-brain barrier on a chip
This study develops a microphysiological system model that can reflect structure of the blood brain barrier.
Neovasculaization
This study presents a “living” microvascular stamp that releases multiple angiogenic factors and subsequently creates functional neovessels with the same pattern as that engraved in the stamp.
Micro and Nanomedicine for diagnosis and therapeutics
ROC-responsive therapeutics
Disruption of reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis has many implications in disease and injury pathogenesis. Scientists can take advantage of this ROS overproduction by incorporating ROS-responsive functionality to a wide variety of therapeutic platforms.
In the case of our polymer-stabilized colloidal drug crystals, ROS cleave engineered diselenium crosslinkers to promote drug crystal dissolution, and restore a normal heart rate in Daphnia magna under oxidative stress.
Our microgelators grafted with MnO2 can self-regulate the intraparticle pressure upon exposure to H2O2 and promote thrombin assisted gelation to stop bleeding.
Active nanomedicine
PLGA-b-HA particles encapsulating recombinant SDF1α stimulate circulating MSCs to express CXCR4 and subsequently improves the transport of MSCs to target injured tissue.
Cell tethering technology
Stretchable and non-drying hydrogel
Stretchable and non-drying hydrogel
Stretchable, non-drying hydrogels are in increasing demand for various biomedical and electrochemical applications.
Formation of novel, tough, non-drying hydrogels using a glycerol solvent exchange has led to the formation of a glycerogel that is stretchable up to 10 times its original length and remains hydrated for 6 months in ambient air. These novel materials can be used as mechanically durable, transparent electronic conductive materials, preoperative vascular surgical models, and more.