Our Research

Our team conducts research at the interface of Chemistry, Materials Science, and Biological Sciences on the following topics.

Breast cancer disease and diagnostic models

As of 2020, breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer type and is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in women. Despite the high incidence of the disease, the average 5-year survival rate of breast cancer patients with early-stage, non-metastatic disease is over 80%. However, this survival rate falls below 25% in patients with metastasis. Metastatic breast cancer is therefore considered practically incurable and is responsible for more than 90% of tumor-related deaths, often due to impaired vital organ functions. We actively develop hydrogel-based three-dimensional extracellular matrices (ECM) mimics for cancer cell, tissue, and explant cultures. We utilize molecular and polymer hydrogels with unique rheological properties, chemical functionalities, and biochemical cues to study cell-matrix interactions. Particularly, we mimic the non-linear viscoelasticity of biological systems in artificial scaffolds. The hydrogels are used for 3D tissue culture, patient-derived tissue cultures, and organoid culture. Our team is one of the leading research groups in developing physiologically relevant and reliable 3D in vitro models for breast cancer cell and tissue culture using a multidisciplinary approach. Our breakthrough in this field has been validated using patient-derived primary breast cancer tissues, paving the way for rapid diagnosis, drug discovery, and treatment. We develop lab-on-a-chip (LOC)– based in vitro models to study the multistep and complex process of breast cancer metastasis. The ultimate aim is to create a suitable model for studying the breast cancer metastasis cascade and a preclinical model for metastatic cancer treatment.

Bio-based materials for optics and photonics

The increased use of plastic-based materials in consumer products will likely amplify the number of microplastics that eventually end up in the food chain. We utilize naturally abundant, renewable, and sustainable molecular, polymeric, and colloidal-level building blocks. We aim to provide alternative and innovative solutions to overcome fossil fuel-based materials. Through this, we provide a transition to green and sustainable materials and processing technologies for bio-based optics, photonics, and health technology. Our research objectives align with climate-neutral policies, the circular economy, the European Union’s Green Deal, and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals by effectively utilizing material stock and flow analysis and creating a new value chain. We use biopolymers for optomechanically tunable gels, optical fibers, and fiber lasers. Our breakthrough in this field includes the demonstration of mechanically robust, scalable biopolymer optical fibers for quantitative sensing of environmental parameters, breath humidity monitoring, and short-distance communication.

Precision nanomaterials

We utilize atomically precise noble metal (gold and silver) nanoclusters and narrowly sized dispersed plasmonic metal nanoparticles. We are developing concepts and methods for precision nanoparticle self-assemblies across length scales. We tune the functionalities of the organic ligands to control the inter-nanoparticle interactions. Specifically, we utilize hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interactions, and metal coordination as primary driving forces, or combinations of multiple interactions. We are developing one-dimensional nanowires, two-dimensional colloidal crystals, and three-dimensional colloidal frameworks. We amplify optoelectronic properties and mechanical performance through self-assembly and develop approaches for various composite chiral plasmonic superstructures. We use advanced TEM imaging, sample preparation, and image processing methods. Specifically, we focus on cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (Cryo-TEM), electron tomography (ET), in situ solid state, and liquid cell TEM.