Research Group
3B’s Research Group
School of Engineering of University of Minho
AvePark, S. Cláudio do Barco
4806-909 Caldas das Taipas, Guimarães, Portugal
Biomaterials
Biodegradables
Biomimetics
Prof. Nicholas A. Peppas, from The
University of Texas at Austin, USA,
visits 3B’s Research Group, University
of Minho, on January 22nd and 23rd.
On the 22nd of January, the University of Minho, will have the honor to receive Prof. Nicholas Peppas
for a visit to the facilities in Taipas, Guimarães, around 15h00.
On the 23rd of January, the Lecture entitled “Intelligent Biomaterials for Molecular Imprinting and
Recognitive Medical Devices” will be addressed in 3B’s Research Group Auditorium, in Caldas das
Taipas, Guimarães, at 11h00.
LECTURE: Intelligent Biomaterials for Molecular Imprinting and Recognitive Medical Devices
Abstract
Engineering the molecular design of intelligent materials by controlling recognition and specificity is the first step
in coordinating and duplicating complex biological and physiological processes. We address design and
synthesis characteristics of novel nanoscale systems based on
crosslinked networks capable of protein release as well as artificial molecular structures capable of specific
molecular recognition of biological molecules. Recent developments in protein delivery have been directed
towards the preparation of targeted formulations for protein delivery to specific sites, use of environmentallyresponsive polymers to achieve pH- or temperature-triggered delivery, usually in modulated mode, and
improvement of the behavior of their mucoadhesive behavior and cell recognition. Configurational biomimetic
imprinting and microimprinting 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 and drug targeting. We have been successful in synthesizing novel glucose-binding molecules based
on non-covalent directed interactions formed via molecular imprinting techniques within aqueous media. Finally,
this talk will address important questions related to the successful implementation on nanotechnology in drug
delivery and especially in cancer treatment. [Stephanie D Steichen, Mary Caldorera-Moore, N A Peppas,
Current nanoparticle and targeting moieties for the delivery of cancer therapeutics, Europ. J Pharm. Sci., 48,
416-427 (2013); Mar Creixell, N A Peppas, Co-delivery of siRNA and therapeutic agents using nanocarriers to
overcome cancer resistance, 7, 367-379 (2012); William B Liechty, N A Peppas, Responsive polymer
nanoparticles in cancer therapy, Europ. J Pharm. Biopharmac., 80, 241-246 (2012)].
3B’s Research Group – University of Minho, AvePark, Zona Industrial da Gandra, S. Cláudio do Barco,
4806-909 Caldas das Taipas, Guimarães, Portugal
Tel: +351 253 510 900 | Fax: +351 253 510909 | www.3bs.uminho.pt | [email protected]
Research Group
3B’s Research Group
School of Engineering of University of Minho
AvePark, S. Cláudio do Barco
4806-909 Caldas das Taipas, Guimarães, Portugal
Biomaterials
Biodegradables
Biomimetics
SHORT BIOGRAPHY
Prof. Nicholas A. Peppas is the Fletcher Stuckey Pratt Chair in Engineering; Professor of Chemical Engineering,
Biomedical Engineering and Pharmacy; and Chairman of the Department of Biomedical Engineering. Peppas is
known for his pioneering research in biomaterials, drug delivery, bionanotechnology and medical devices. His
research blends modern molecular and cellular biology with engineering to generate the next-generation of
medical systems and devices for patient treatment. He set the fundamentals and rational design of drug delivery
systems. He is the inventor of numerous medical products including contact and intraocular lenses, artificial
kidney membranes, cartilage, and devices for oral delivery of insulin for treatment of diabetics, calcitonin for
osteoporosis and interferon beta for multiple sclerosis. For his major contributions to chemical and biomedical
engineering he received the 2012 Founders Award of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE). He is an
elected member of NAE, the Institute of Medicine (of the National Academies, the National Academy of France,
the Royal Academy of Spain, and the Texas Academy. AIChE has awarded him the 2008 Founders Award, the
2006 William Walker Award, the 2008 Institute Lectureship, the 2007 Jay Bailey Award, the 1992
Pharmaceuticals and Bioengineering Award and the 1984 Materials Award. On the occasion of its centennial in
2008, AIChE included him in the “100 chemical engineers of the modern era”. Peppas is a fellow of AAAS,
AIChE, ACS, APS, MRS, BMES, AIMBE, SFB, CRS, AAPS and ASEE. One of the most cited engineers in the
world with 57,000 citations, he has published 1,300 papers and 55 patents and has authored or co-edited 37
books. More than 750 researchers have worked in his laboratories, including 100 visiting scientists and
postdoctoral fellows and 95 PhD students, 55 of them professors in other universities. Peppas holds a Dipl.Eng.,
National Technical University of Athens (1971), a Sc.D. from MIT (1973), and honorary doctorates from the
Universities of Ghent (Belgium), Parma (Italy), Ljubljana (Slovenia) and Athens (Greece).
Contactos:
Grupo de Investigação 3B´s - Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics
Morada:
University of Minho
Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on
Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
AvePark, Zona Industrial da Gandra
S. Cláudio do Barco
4806-909 Caldas das Taipas
Guimarães
Portugal
Tel: +351-253-510900
Fax: +351-253-510909
Relações Públicas:
Dra. Ariana Santos
Tel: +351-253-510927
[email protected]
Mais informação sobre o Grupo 3B´s da Universidade do Minho pode ser visualizada em
www.3bs.uminho.pt
3B’s Research Group – University of Minho, AvePark, Zona Industrial da Gandra, S. Cláudio do Barco,
4806-909 Caldas das Taipas, Guimarães, Portugal
Tel: +351 253 510 900 | Fax: +351 253 510909 | www.3bs.uminho.pt | [email protected]