Research

Macromolecular self-assembly

We are interested in understanding a structure-function relationship in protein misfolding at a very fundamental level. In particular, we study the self-assembly mechanisms in functional and pathological fiber-forming proteins such as silks and amyloids, with an aim to be able to control these processes.

Biomaterials

Throughout the ages the living systems have fascinated chemists, biologists, physicists and theoretical scientists alike. However, most of their efforts were directed mainly towards the qualitative mimicking of the biological functions. Our group is strive to understand the mechanisms by which living system grow, develop and adapt. This includes synthesis and characterisation of materials mimicking biological function and made of natural building blocks such as self-assembling proteins, understanding the driving forces behind the heterogeneous protein-based complex formation, understanding living organism-biomaterial interaction and understanding how nature optimise such materials to solve biological challenges.

Microfluidics

We study the effect of changes in fluid flow, that achieved via applying electrical field, ultrasonic waves and hydrodynamic forces, on its soluble/dispersed components such as fiber-forming proteins and their complexes with organic and inorganic materials

Fluid dynamics