proteins & polymers (at) interfaces group

Research in the proteins - polymers at interfaces group (p2ig) focuses on the role of proteins and other macromolecules at interfaces. The p2ig group is a part of Center for Biopolymers at Interfaces in the Department of Bioengineering at the University of Utah Research topics include protein dynamics at interfaces, protein adsorption and its regulation by materials surface chemistry, the use of proteins at interfaces as transducers of recognition events and cell interactions on model surfaces. Biomaterials surface research is focused on block copolymers thin films and surface coatings using SFM elasticity and adhesion mapping. and on the development of biomimetic surface coatings based on polysaccharide macromolecules and/or transferred Langmuir-Blodgett films of amphiphile-polysaccharide conjugates. Mixed Langmuir monolayers are studied as potential templates for binding and recognition of viruses; polypeptides are investigated as templates for the nucleation of calcium phosphates.