Modular Synthetic Bio-inspired Materials (MoSBio) Workshop

Addressing the current lack of large polymer sequence-structure datasets, which limits the application of AI-driven design.
About this Event

Modular Synthetic Bio-inspired Materials (MoSBio) Workshop

This workshop addresses the current lack of large polymer sequence-structure datasets, which currently limits the application of AI-driven design in the field and serves to facilitate integration across several academic units, including Chemistry, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Computational and Theoretical Biosciences. This multidisciplinary engagement strengthens efforts to connect theory, simulation, and experiment, positioning Rice at the forefront of the development of architected materials with programmable structure–function relationships.

The workshop also leverages Rice University's Center for Theoretical Biological Physics (CTBP)’s expertise in bridging the physical and biological sciences, specifically applying theories of protein folding landscapes to the rational design of synthetic materials. Investigating how sequence-encoded interactions can emulate behaviors associated with quantum phenomena allows this workshop to contribute to the materials foundations of emerging technologies, such as systems capable of supporting quantum coherence and responsive information processing.

Speakers

1. Theoretical Biophysics & Statistical Mechanics

This group provides the mathematical and computational foundation for understanding molecular folding and self-assembly.

• Faruck Morcos (UT Dallas): Focuses on latent generative landscapes and global sequence models to explore protein function and evolution.
• Vinicius Contessoto (Rice University): Computational biophysicist working on energy landscapes and synthetic sequences.
• William Jacobs (Princeton University): Specializes in the theoretical design of sequence-programmable protein condensates and phase separation.

2. Soft Matter & Complex Fluid Dynamics

These researchers explore how disordered and active materials flow, deform, and organize in complex environments.

• Jacinta (JC) Conrad (University of Houston): Studies the transport and dynamics of complex fluids, including bacteria near interfaces.
• Christopher Browne (University of Michigan): Investigates the fluid dynamics of complex materials within disordered or "messy" 3D spaces.
• Frederick C. MacKintosh (Rice University): Focuses on the fundamental physics of biological soft matter and active networks.
• Bhuvnesh Bharti (Louisiana State University): Researches the directed assembly of colloids and the properties of soft matter.
• Nikta Fakhri (MIT): Studies the physics of living matter and the thermodynamic principles of active systems.

3. Nanotechnology & Precision Materials

This category targets the rational design and synthesis of nanoscale architectures and stimuli-responsive matter.

• Junichiro Kono (Rice University): Leader in optical studies of nanosystems and carbon nanotube architectures.
• Matthew Jones (Rice University): Develops precision nanosynthesis methods, particularly DNA-mediated nanoparticle assembly.
• Jeffrey Rimer (University of Houston): Focuses on predicting and controlling crystal formation in bioactive materials.
• Karen Lozano (UTRGV): Expert in the synthesis of nanofibers and the mechanical engineering of nanomaterials.

4. Synthetic Biology & Molecular Programming

Specialists in engineering living systems and expanding the chemical repertoire of biological molecules.

• Caroline Ajo-Franklin (Rice University): Researches the interface of synthetic biology and materials science to engineer responsive bio-materials.
• Ross Thyer (Rice University): Uses expanded genetic codes and synthetic circuitry to engineer new biocatalysts and therapeutics.

5. Translational Nanomedicine & Oncology

Researchers connecting molecular design to clinical applications in cancer and drug delivery.

• Sara Corvigno (MD Anderson): Investigates epithelial-stromal crosstalk and signaling networks in ovarian cancer.