Dr. Ipsita Banerjee
Associate Professor
Office: JMH 612          
Email: banerjee@fordham.edu
tel: 718-817-4445
fax: 718-817-4432   

                                RESEARCH INTERESTS
       
BIONANOTECHNOLOGY

OUR GOAL

To explore and characterize nanoscale materials for studying cellular interactions and mimic biological assemblies by designing artificial biomaterials through molecular synthesis and nanoscale self-assembly for:

Tissue Regeneration
Drug Delivery
Targeting tumor cells
Bioimaging
Antibacterial Materials
Enzyme Catalysis on Tailored Surfaces

Our laboratory is interested in the study of molecular self-assembly and supramolecular nanostructures formed from various natural materials. The objective of this research is to  understand important fundamental aspects of the surface chemistry associated in the growth and development of such systems and investigate the effect of charge, surface stoichiometry, and binding interactions for the development of novel biomaterials and biosensors. For further improving the bone regeneration process, the design of biomaterials with surface properties similar to physiological bone would greatly enhance the formation of bone at the tissue/biomaterial interface and thus improve orthopaedic implant efficacy. We are working on development of new ceramic nanocomposites and examining their biocompatibility in vitro.

                     

        

   The biocompatibility, of the nanotubes/ microtubes nanowires and nanovesicles formed was examined in the
   presence of mammalian cells.

                

            
    

    Green Synthetic Methods for prepartion of Nanoparticles

In recent times, biological methods to synthesize metal nanoparticles through environmentally friendly methods is becoming increasingly important. Using a biological approach via specific peptide sequences or modified plant based materials, we are examining the growth of highly crystalline shape and size controlled metal and semi-conductor nanoparticles. It is well known that the shapes and sizes of the nanoparticles play an extremely important role in the properties of the nanoparticles for the development of devices for optoelectronics, biosensors and imaging.

                            
    
               
                  
                

                                                              
Catalysis and Sensors

We are studying the growth of semiconducting nanoparticles such as tinoxide under mild conditions in the presence of proteins  to control the size and shape of the nanoparticles. We have recently grown nanoparticles of about 5 -10 nm in diameter. Such materials can be used in a range of applications that include gas sensing and catalysis.Investigating new bioengineering routes for the preparation of metal oxide nanoparticles and porous materials.  The aim  of this research is to develop new materials with tailored properties where in the shape, size, porosity and BET surface area can be controlled.
   
                 
 
Protein Folding Dynamics at Biomimetic Surfaces

Misfolding of peptides are responsible for denaturation and accumulation of amlyoid deposits leading to diseases such as dementia Alzheimer's and Parkinsons. We are studying the peptide folding dynamics of several related peptides at surfaces in order to shed light into the mechanism of formation of fibrillar tangles and their unfolding.   
      Gold-Germania