The group originated in January of 2000 upon Dr. Schoenfisch's arrival to UNC-Chapel Hill. Our initial work focused on patterning proteins and immunoassay-atomic force microscopy. We have since moved towards synthesizing nitric oxide-releasing materials, developing new therapeutics, and designing analytical sensors for biological and biomedical applications. In any given semester, the group consists of 8-10 graduate students, one or two post-doctoral research fellows, and a handful of undergraduate students. Tomorrow's projects are especially interesting.
Students in the group are broadly trained in one or more of a number of areas including analytical, biological, and polymer/materials chemistry, engineering, and molecular pharmaceutics. Projects span biology, biomedical engineering, chemistry, materials science, pharmacy, and medicine.
Our current and future research include applying what we have learned from our fundamental studies of nitric oxide storage and release to the design of new therapeutics and chemical sensors. Our attention is focused on developing technologies that facilitate the clinical diagnosis and treatment of infections and chronic wounds, and the management of diabetes.
