We study fundamentals and applications of silicon-based nanomaterials. Current research topics emphasize mesoporous silicon, harnessing its properties to answer questions in chemistry, materials science, biology, and medicine. Major themes in the lab:
- Porous silicon nanoparticles as host matrices for biologic (protein and nucleic acid) payloads
- Peptide-targeted drug delivery using tissue-specific peptides grafted to the exterior of the nanoparticle for treatment of bacterial, viral, and fungal infections, cancer, traumatic brain and peripheral nerve injuries, and diseases of the eye
- Nano-cages of porous nanostructures to encapsulate and enhance the performance of enzymes and other catalytic payloads for selected medical, environmental remediation, and energy storage/harvesting applications
- Luminescent silicon quantum dots as in-vitro and in-vivo probes
- Dielectric mesostructures such as photonic crystals for chemical/biochemical sensor applications
Our group is part of the NSF UC San Diego Materials Research Science and Engineering Center, which Prof. Sailor directs, and the cross-divisional Institute for Materials Discovery and Design, which Prof. Sailor co-directs. We leverage the research tools of the San Diego Nanotechnology Infrastructure (a member of the NSF National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure) to discover, design, and characterize advanced materials needed to address global societal challenges.
Graduate student applicants interested in joining our research team can apply through the following UC San Diego MS or PhD programs:
Chemistry & Biochemistry | Nanoengineering | Bioengineering | Materials Science & Engineering
Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, or the University of California.