Harry Bermudez
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Degree Information:
B.S. Chemical Engineering, Univ. of Massachusetts Amherst, 1998
Ph.D. Chemical Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, 2003
Mailing Address:
Department of Polymer Science and Engineering
Room: A-413, Conte Research Center
University of Massachusetts Amherst
120 Governors Drive
Amherst, MA 01003
Phone:
(413) 577-1413
Email:
bermudez [at] polysci.umass.edu
Fax:
(413) 545-0082
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Research Interests:
Synthetic and natural biomimetic materials, self-assembling nanotechnology, and gene delivery
Current Research:
Our general theme is to engineer functional biomaterials from a molecular-scale perspective so as to control self-assembly or molecular recognition. Part of our efforts will focus on cell-material interactions in the context of the immune system -- with obvious implications for implants, sensors, and drug/gene delivery. Pathogens such as viruses are the classical evaders of the immune system, and recapitulating essential elements of their machinery in synthetic contexts presents new opportunities in biomaterials applications.
Similarly, incorporating synthetic character into viral particles and nucleic acids, through use of molecular biology and polymer chemistry, may provide biodegradable intracellular probes and efficient delivery vehicles. Projects will draw on techniques and concepts from both the cell/molecular biology and materials science communities.
Honors and Distinctions:
- 2007 Armstrong Fund for Science
