The Lara Estroff Research Group
Bio-Inspired Materials Synthesis

Lara Ann Estroff

lae37@cornell.edu

Assistant Professor, Materials Science and Engineering

- Previous education: Swarthmore College, B.A., 1997; Yale University, Ph.D., 2003.
- Research experience: Harvard University, NIH Postdoctoral Researcher, 2003-2005.

Professional Background

Post-Docs/Visiting Scientists

Dat T. Tran

dtt8@cornell.edu

Previous education: Binghamton University, New York - B.S. Chemistry, 1998; Ph.D. Inorganic and Materials Chemistry, 2005. Work Experience: CS&S Thermal/Rheology Lab Technician, Corning Incorporated, 1999-2000.

My research interests are focused on growth mechanisms and structural control of hydroxyapatite [Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2] and carbonated hydroxyapatite (a major component of bone and teeth), by developing a new synthetic pathway using a hydrogel/self-assembled monolayers as a template in a double-diffusion setup. This approach will help find a suitable model for studying these biological materials in vitro (in the lab).

Graduate Students

Ellen Keene

ek237@cornell.edu

Hanying Li

hl345@cornell.edu

Jason Dorvee

jrd44@cornell.edu

Previous education: UC San Diego - B.A. Space Science and Systems Engineering, 2003; B.S. Biochemistry, 2003; M.S. in Chemistry, 2005.

I am currently working on the development of High Throughput Assay Techniques for the screening of pharmaceutical polymorphs using self assembled monolayers. The research and production of optimized pharmaceuticals is a costly, involved, and time consuming process that can take years. Inspired by nature's use of ordered molecular surfaces it may be possible to cut years of research down to only a few months. Providing a surface for heteronucleation without having to change solvent or any other nucleating condition it may be possible to create various polymorphic and solvate forms of a single pharmaceutical compound. Combining standard high throughput assay techniques with Self Assembled Monlayers may make it possible to screen for several (up to 96) different kinds of surfaces at once and pair them to a variety of pharmaceutical crystal forms.

I am also interested in developing techniques for the selective remineralization of biological ceramics such as calcite and hydroxyapatite into ceramic composites of interest to material science. Using processes that nature has employed for millions of years it may be possible to transform material normally used for the fabrication of bones, shells and coral reefs, into structural, high impact, or high temperature ceramics.

Miki Kunitake

mikiekunitake@yahoo.com

Previous education: Yale University - B.S. Chemistry, May 2000; U.C. Berkeley M.S. Chemistry 2007.

I'm interested in understanding what causes the extraordinary mechanical properties of biocomposites. For instance, pure calcite is a very soft mineral which can be scratched by your fingernails. However, in cooperation with a small amount of an organic matrix, single crystalline calcite becomes many times tougher and is used by sea urchins for their single crystalline spines and many mollusks for their protective shell.

Calcite crystals grown in the presence of an agarose hydrogel will be used as a biomimetic system. Crystals grown in an agarose matrix are nominally single crystals, yet are interspersed with agarose fibers. It is possible that the unique mechanical properties arise because the fibers pin slip dislocations and defect propagation similar to a grain boundary within a metal. Or, they could arise because the fibers strongly interact with the crystalline matrix similar to a true composite. Stay tuned!

Debra Lin

dwl54@cornell.edu

Previous education: Massachusetts Institute of Technology – B.S. Materials Science & Engineering, 2007.

I am interested in developing new composite materials with tunable properties suitable for applications as hard tissue implants.  My current work is focused upon utilizing the unique nano-scale phase-segregation properties of block copolymers to structure biocompatible minerals, specifically nonstoichiometric apatites.  Block copolymers can act as nanostructured templates which direct the assembly of nano-sized functionalized particles.  I am also studying methods to synthetically produce interfaces between minerals to emulate the transition of bone to cartilage seen in nature for potential applications in treating cartilage deterioration in joints.

Undergraduate Students

Educational background: Cornell University, College of Engineering

Class of 2008

I am currently investigating the formation and control of the tidemark region, the interface between articular cartilage and the subchondral bone layers. Supersaturation of a hydrogel with calcium and phosphate ions at controlled ratios precipitate out as hydroxyapatite. Chondrocytes (placed upstream of the mineralization front) secrete mineralization inhibitors and should stop the formation of hydroxyapatite. I am investigating the resulting transition zone between the mineralized/unmineralized hydrogel.

Vijay Ravichandran

vr55@cornell.edu

Educational background: Cornell University, College of Arts and Sciences

Class of 2010

I started working with Ellen Keene and Professor Lara Estroff this summer 2007 to examine different methods of protein extraction from a variety of mollusk shells.  Ultimately, this should help us gain a better understanding of mollusk shell formation and allow us to produce biomimetic materials.

Laura Floyd

laf42@cornell.edu

Educational background: Cornell University, Biological/Biomedical Engineering

Class of 2009

I am working with Jason Dorvee and Professor Estroff on growing different crystal polymorphs. By changing the surfaces on which these organic compounds are grown on we are learning how we can select which polymorph will grow.