Two ongoing research projects are contributing to the understanding of complex systems in both materials science and biochemistry—exploring the mechanics of soft biological materials and the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative disease.
Modeling Nature to Engineer Tougher Materials
One project focuses on amorphous soft materials, particularly fibrillar double-network gels inspired by biological structures such as actin filaments and microtubules. These networks can withstand substantial deformation and, in some cases, exhibit self-healing properties.
Through three-dimensional computational modeling, researchers have demonstrated that adjusting interspecies interactions can produce two distinct architectures:
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Demixed networks – characterized by robustness against environmental changes
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Intertwined networks – offering higher tunability and ultra-toughness
The study establishes a link between network structure and mechanical response, offering insights for designing biomimetic materials with tailored mechanical properties.
Investigating Protein Aggregation in Neurodegeneration
A second project examines PKA RIβ, a protein regulatory subunit expressed predominantly in neurons. Mutations in this protein, such as L50R, have been associated with neurodegenerative disorders including dementia and parkinsonism.
Findings indicate that the L50R mutation disrupts the native helical structure of the protein, preventing proper disulfide bond formation and leading to abnormal aggregation. Further work aims to identify the role of individual cysteine residues in this process and to apply advanced techniques, such as biological nanopore analysis, to characterize soluble oligomers that may precede insoluble aggregate formation.
Together, these studies highlight how computational modeling, biophysical characterization, and biochemical analysis can be integrated to address fundamental questions in materials science and neurobiology.