Smart bio-mimetic self-assembled gels for biomedical applications

Self-assembled gels are a new class of materials that have been shown to have applications in tissue engineering and drug delivery. In this project we will synthesise a new family of low molecular-mass organic gellators that form biologically active self-assembled gels, potentially inhibiting cell division and mobility of cancer cells. Our gels will incorporate two unique features; that is the ability to bind and sense small anions and the incorporation of heterogenous groups to study synergistic effects in their biological function. We will look extensively at the interaction between these gels and cancerous cells in vitro, using an array of advanced molecular and multi-dimensional imaging techniques.