Prof. Nicholas A. Peppas 2023 Tel Aviv University Honorary Doctorate
"Intelligent Biomaterials and Hydrogels in Nanotechnology and Precision Medicine"
Prof. Nicholas A. Peppas 2023 Tel Aviv University Honorary Doctorate
Nicholas A Peppas, Sc.D.
Cockrell Family Regents Chair in Engineering No 6,
Director, Institute of Biomaterials, Drug Delivery and Regenerative Medicine,
McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering,
Departments of Pediatrics, Surgery and Perioperative Care, Dell Medical School,
and Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, College of Pharmacy
The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX 78712, USA
Title: "Intelligent Biomaterials and Hydrogels in Nanotechnology and Precision Medicine"
May 18th, 2023, 09:00 - 12:30 | The Raya and Josef Jaglom Auditorium, Senate Building, Tel Aviv University
Program:
- 09:00-10:00 - Roundtables Meeting with students and postdocs -
- 10:00-10:30 - Coffee break and light snacks
- 10:30-11:30 - Welcome by Prof. Ronit Satchi-Fainaro and Short intro talks by colleagues
- 11:30-12:30 - Prof. Nicholas Peppas Lecture
Prof. Nicholas Peppas is a Greek-born chemical and biomedical engineer. He holds the Cockrell Family Regents Chair in Engineering and Director of the Institute of Biomaterials, Drug Delivery and Regenerative Medicine at the University of Texas at Austin.
He has been a leader in biomaterials, protein delivery and bionanotechnology, combining molecular and cellular biology with engineering principles, to treat diabetes, autoimmune and cardiovascular diseases. Peppas‘ recognitions include 180 awards. 2012 Founders Award of the National Academy of Engineering, 2019 NAM award. 2022 Ellis Island Gold Medal Honor. Several honorary degrees. Member of national academies, including US, Canada, China, India, Korea, France, Spain, Greece, Romania.
Peppas serves as Editor of the Oxford Press journal Regenerative Biomaterials. Inventor of many patents, he has founded three companies. He served as President of the International Union of Societies of Biomaterials and Chair of the Engineering Section of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Abstract
Engineering the molecular design of intelligent biomaterials by controlling structure, recognition and specificity is the first step in coordinating and duplicating complex biological and physiological processes. Recent developments in siRNA and protein delivery have been directed towards the preparation of targeted formulations for protein delivery to specific sites, use of environmentally-responsive polymers to achieve pH- or temperature-triggered delivery, usually in modulated mode, and improvement of the behavior of their mucoadhesive behavior and cell recognition.
We address design and synthesis characteristics of novel crosslinked networks capable of protein release as well as artificial molecular structures capable of specific molecular recognition of biological molecules. Molecular imprinting and micro-imprinting techniques, which create stereo-specific three-dimensional binding cavities based on a biological compound of interest, can lead to preparation of biomimetic materials for intelligent drug delivery, drug targeting, and tissue engineering.
All these studies will not be helpful to our patients if they were not done in an environment promoting diversity and inclusivity among our members. To this extend, we stress the need for stronger and converging interactions of the researchers in our group, as well as identification of Health Disparities that drive our recent work.
