Jiang Lab

Jiang Lab Research

An important challenge in many applications ranging from biomedical devices to ship hulls is the prevention of nonspecific biomolecule and microorganism attachment onto surfaces. This attachment can be prevented by using a "nonfouling" surface. Our goals are to provide a fundamental understanding of molecular-level nonfouling mechanisms and to develop biocompatible and environmentally benign nonfouling materials using molecular design principles.

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Molecular Understanding, Design and Development of Zwitterionic-based Functional Materials

Over the last few years, we have demonstrated that zwitterionic and mixed charge materials and surfaces are highly resistant to nonspecific protein adsorption from undiluted blood plasma/serum and to bacterial adhesion/biofilm formation. In addition to their excellent nonfouling properties, zwitterionic carboxybetaine-based materials have abundant functional groups for ligand immobilization, while cationic zwitterionic precursors have self-sterilizing capabilities. Our results show that the strong hydration of zwitterionic materials is responsible for their excellent nonfouling properties. At present, zwitterionic materials have been applied to a number of biomedical and engineering applications.

We take a unique holistic approach to our research by performing both simulations and experiments. Novel materials are designed, synthesized, tested and improved upon all within our group. This collaborative approach allows us to always strive towards understanding nature at all levels. Innovative research and technology is our goal.

The Group

Our group is a diverse mix with people from New York to Beijing and in between. We are engineers, chemists, and simulators. About one third of our group focuses on simulating a diverse range of problems from interfaces and designing new materials. The next third focuses on synthesizing new polymers and other molecules. The last third focuses on biosensing, drug delivery and other applications of materials. Our materials are unique due to not only their ultra low fouling, but also their multi-functional properties. Creating such materials is helping fields from implantable materials to warship coatings.