Master’s Project
Contact: Dr. Makasewicz ([email protected])
Nonspecific adsorption of proteins to surfaces has broad technological and biological relevance. In biotechnology and pharmaceutical formulations, protein adsorption to interfaces can lead to protein loss, aggregation, and reduced stability of biologic drugs. In biological systems, interactions of proteins with cellular membranes and biomaterials play important roles in processes ranging from immune recognition to pathological protein aggregation. This master project will investigate how small molecules modulate nonspecific protein adsorption to model surfaces. The project will focus on understanding whether small molecules alter adsorption by changing protein–surface encounter kinetics, interfacial residence times, or surface-induced conformational transitions.