Dr. Aaron Catledge

Assistant Professor
Dept. of Physics
Center for Nanoscale Materials and Biointegration (CNMB)
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, AL

catledge@uab.edu
(205)934-3693

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As of Aug. 15^th, 2010, Dr. Aaron Catledge begins a new program of study as Assistant Professor of Physics within the Center for Nanoscale Materials and Biointegration (CNMB) at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). His research program will include design, synthesis, and characterization of biomaterials at the nanoscale using a relatively new and versatile patterning technique called Dip-Pen Nanolithography (DPN). This direct-write patterning approach relies on atomic force microscopy to transfer material “inks” from the probe tip to a surface with nanometer-scale spatial resolution. Catledge will investigate the precise patterning of biologically-relevant nanoparticles and molecules for applications in biosensing/imaging, targeted drug delivery, and tissue engineering. DPN will allow control of the size, shape, and chemical functionality of nanoscale biomaterials and these properties are believed to have a profound influence on the ability to direct multi-scale processes including protein function, cellular organization, and tissue regeneration.

In one focus, his research group will use DPN to better understand scaffold/substrate and scaffold/cell binding in tissue engineering applications. Studies will include deposition of biocompatible polymers (with or without biomolecules) and calcium phosphate-based inks onto a range of substrates in order to understand the binding between cells and surfaces as well as to explore how specific patterns/shapes affect cell morphology and behavior. In addition, multiple patterned hydrogel structures, each with a different cell binding protein or peptide can be investigated. Another focus will be to create fluorescent nanodiamond (ND) color centers as a probe for intracellular tracking, imaging, and drug delivery. Surface functionalization of ND by carboxyl groups leads to high affinity for proteins or other biomolecules either by physical (electrostatic) or chemical (covalent) bonding interactions. Therapeutic molecules conjugated to ND will be investigated for targeted drug delivery.

Professor Catledge’s proposed program will strengthen and diversify existing CNMB center efforts and capabilities through its highly interdisciplinary approach involving materials physics, regenerative medicine, and chemistry. Collaboration with faculty in other UAB departments including Biology, Chemistry, and the UAB School of Medicine is planned.

DPN is the nanoscale analog of a dip pen or quill pen, in which the tip of an AFM cantilever acts as a "pen," which is coated with a chemical compound or mixture acting as an "ink," and put in contact with a substrate, the "paper. Image from Nanoink.com.

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