Georgia Institute of Technology

The goal of research in the Payne Lab is to understand the underlying molecular mechanisms by which cells interact with materials. Recent developments in a broad range of scientific disciplines including microscopy, spectroscopy, cell biology, materials science, and structural biology have created a unique opportunity to probe this question directly. Students in the Payne Lab draw upon these scientific disciplines for a highly interdisciplinary research experience.

Nanoparticle-cell interactions. Nanoparticles have important biomedical applications ranging from the treatment of human disease with gene therapy to understanding basic cellular functions with fluorescent probes. In all of these applications, nanoparticles come into contact with a complex mixture of extracellular proteins. The Payne Lab is interested in understanding how adsorption of proteins onto the surface of a nanoparticle alters the interaction of the nanoparticle with a cell. By understanding how nanoparticles interact with cells in a realistic biological environment, we will be able to design better nanoparticles for the treatment and detection of human disease.

Conducting polymer-cell interactions. The integration of biocompatible conducting polymers with cells has important applications in regenerative medicine. The Payne Lab is using conducting polymer nanowires to modulate the electrical properties of single cells. In addition, the Payne Lab is using biomolecules as oxidants for the polymerization of conducting polymers with tunable properties.

Fluorescence microscopy. Observing the interactions of cells with materials requires the spatial and temporal resolution provided by fluorescence microscopy. The Payne Lab uses a range of fluorescence microscopy techniques to image the dynamic events that are essential to cellular function.