Description:

Evan Scott, Ph.D.
Key Davis Professor
Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Director of PhD Admissions of Biomedical Engineering
McCormick School of Engineering
Northwestern University

Abstrat: Self-assembled nanobiomaterials that are engineered to achieve specific biodistributions and mechanisms of degradation hold great promise for controlled stimulation of the immune system.  Taking advantage of the morphological and chemical flexibility of self-assembled polymeric systems, we aim to mimic various structures and biochemical mechanisms of pathogens to enhance cell-selective intracellular delivery and treatment efficacy during immunotherapy.  Interfacial phenomena are an essential and often overlooked component of immunology, and we aim to better understand and engineer the bio/nano interface between soft nanobiomaterials and cells of the immune system during the controlled delivery of immunomodulatory therapeutics. Here, I will present some of our ongoing work towards developing novel nanobiomaterials and bio/nano interfaces, as well as recent applications of these soft materials for immunotherapy, vaccination and controlled drug delivery in general.