I research Chemical Self-assembly Processing, and in particular model-based
strategies and novel process
routes to VLPs underpinned by fundamental biophysics.
Self assembly refers to a spontaneous process directed largely by
information embodied in the individual assembling components in the form of
shape, surface properties, charge, polarizability, magnetic dipole, mass,
etc. This ability to form structures spontaneously from the bottom up has
aroused considerable interests among physicists, biologists and chemical
engineers to develop useful bioproducts such as virus-like particles (VLPs),
which are the primary focus of my project. VLPs are assemblies of
macromolecules composed of viral structural proteins which are
non-infectious and replication incompetent. They are used primarily in the
manufacture of recombinant vaccines, which are generally considered safe
and efficacious compared to attenuated and inactivated vaccines.
This project seeks to study the kinetics and thermodynamics of
self-assembly systems, and use this knowledge to overcome the barriers to
the development of self-assembly bioprocess routes which are scalable to
production levels.
Education:
Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical) 1st Class Hons, The University of
Adelaide.
Awards:
AIBN Scholarship
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