Welcome to Biomaterials Research Laboratory (BRL)
Research | Biomaterials Research Laboratory (BRL)
Four Main Research Themes Include:
Enzyme-Polymer Conjugates and Their Application:
Enzymes are generally inactive under extreme conditions such as high temperature which actually limits their applications. We targeted to improve enzymatic functions under high temperature using enzyme-polymer conjugations. Bio-conjugations improve enzyme activity even after serious heat treatment. Moreover, we also used low molecular weight compounds to save enzymes under unfavorable conditions.
(J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2009, 131(18), 6549-6553).
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2009, 131(18), 6549-6553.
We showed a novel strategy for the regulation and preservation of the enzymatic activity even after heat treatment by the complex formation with a cationic smart copolymer, poly(N,N-diethylaminoethyl methacrylate)-graft poly(ethylene glycol) (PEAMA-g-PEG). PEAMA-g-PEG suppressed the enzymatic activity of lysozyme completely without any conformational change, indicating complex formation and the capping of the active site of lysozyme by PEAMA-g-PEG. The addition of an anionic polymer, poly(acrylic acid) (PAAc), recovered the inhibited enzymatic activity of the lysozyme/PEAMA-g-PEG complex completely. Surprisingly, even after heating the lysozyme with PEAMA-g-PEG for 20 min at 98 °C, the addition of PAAc recovered 80% enzymatic activity of lysozyme. Circular dichroism (CD) spectral analysis clearly indicated that the irreversible inactivation of lysozyme induced by the heat treatment was suppressed by the complex formation with PEAMA-g-PEG.
(Langmuir, 2012, 28, 4334-4338)
2. Composite Materials:
Within this research theme, we seek to fabricate biofiber-reinforced thermoplastic/thermosetting matrix-based composites for a wide range of applications. We use both marine (alginate, chitosan etc.) and plant based (jute, areca nut, coconut, starch etc.) fibers. We characterize composites’ properties and evaluate them as a potential candidate. We recently started to work on hydrogel.
(J. Pure and Appl. Chem. Res., 2018, 7(3), 217-229)
3. Nano-materials:
Within this research concept, we attempt to synthesize solely novel nanomaterial (NPs) with various morphologies or combine nanomaterial with natural/synthetic polymer to enhance better performance towards potential applications such as antimicrobial activity, antiinflammatory activity, antioxidant activity, cytotoxicity, and enviornmental remiadiation (adsorption/photolysis).
(Published Data (4.2, Heliyon, 2023) and ChemistrySelect, 2019, 4, 12464-12471)
4. Environmental Research: Water/Soil/Food Chemistry and Risk Assessment:
We characterize nanocomposite/hybrid and evaluate them as a potential candidate to aid environmental remediation. Furthermore, recently, we are investigating hydro-geochemical signatures, quality indices and health risk assessment from water/soil/food (rice, lentil, fish) samples with special reference to Bangladesh.
(J. of Mat. and Env. Sciences, 2021, 12 (2), 308-328, Malaysian J. of Chemistry, 2021, 23 (1), 74-102)
(Indonesian J. of Env. Sustainability and Management, 4, 2020, 90-101)