Research Areas – MKD Research

- Affinity ligand design and characterization for biomedical applications.
  We investigate affinity interactions between ligand-target systems for applications in targeted drug delivery, biosensing and pathogen detection, and biomolecular purification. Our present work focuses on aptamer-based ligands. Aptamers are single-stranded oligonucleotides with affinity binding mechanisms effective for selective and specific identification of cellular and non-cellular targets via unique transformations in their structural and hydrodynamic conformations. We use molecular dynamics simulations and analytical tools such as surface plasmon resonance measurements to investigate how aptamers bind to their targets and exploit this knowledge in various biomedical applications.

- Nucleic acid and protein based therapeutic production and analysis.
  Gene therapy is a technique for correcting defective genes responsible for disease development. Nucleic acid and protein-based molecules are utilized as research tools within the broad areas of gene therapy and the emerging field of molecular medicine. Although most of the nucleic acid and protein-based drugs are in early stages of clinical trials, these classes of compounds have emerged in recent years to yield extremely promising candidates for drug therapy and vaccination to a wide range of diseases, including cancer, infectious diseases, diabetes, cardiovascular, inflammatory, and neurodegenerative diseases, cystic fibrosis, hemophilia, and other genetic disorders. In our lab, we are working on developing novel plasmid DNA and recombinant protein molecules and characterizing them for biopharmaceutical applications.

- - Drug and vaccine formulation and delivery via biodegradable micro/nano particles.
    Biodegradable nanoparticles are gaining increasing attention for their ability to serve as viable carriers for site specific delivery of vaccines, genes, drugs and other biomolecules to the body. They offer enhanced biocompatibility, superior drug/vaccine encapsulation, and convenient release profiles for various applications in medicine. Our lab works on the preparation and characterization of nanomedicines as well as nanoformulation of conventional drugs for the treatment and diagnosis of common diseases such as diabetes, cancer and rare genetic diseases.
- Bioseparation adsorbent design and functionalization for downstream processing and biomolecule purification.
  Bioseparation relates to the application of fundamental engineering and biological principles to design adsorbents, equipment and processes for the separation of cells and biomolecules. Research and development of bioseparation processes combines the disciplines of engineering, life sciences, chemistry and medicine in order to match the molecular properties of biomolecules with the most appropriate techniques for their large-scale separation and purification. In our lab, we are working on synthesizing, designing and functionalizing novel adsorbents for the purification of biomolecules.

- Bioactive peptide production and formulation from food protein hydrolysates – Application in functional foods.
  Bioactive peptides exhibit a wide range of nutritional, functional and biological activities. Many bioactive peptides possess specific biological properties that make them potential ingredients of health-promoting foods for nutraceutical applications. There is an increasing attention towards the development of physiologically active peptides derived from novel protein sources. In our lab, we are working on the development and formulation of bioactive peptides from hydrolysates of food proteins for application in functional foods.

- Optimization of microbial fermentation for bioproduct development
  For industrial microbial fermentation processes, growth medium and process condition influence the nature, concentration and yield and productivity of the fermentation end product, thus affecting the overall process economics. Therefore, it is important to optimize fermentation medium and process conditions. Our lab aims in optimizing microbial fermentation process for the expression and large-scale production of biopharmaceuticals and recombinant proteins; biomass hydrolysis; biofuel production; and bioactive peptides production.

- Environmental bioremediation – CO2 biosequestration and wastewater treatment. Bioremediation is the use of living organisms, primarily microorganisms, to degrade the environmental contaminants into less toxic forms. Contamination of air by carbon released by industries and vehicles, and water by releasing industrial wastes are the main causes of environmental pollution. Carbon biosequestration and microbial wastewater treatment can be used as bioremediation methods to reverse the damage caused by polluted environments. Our lab evaluates, utilizes and produces large-scale microbes, especially algae, for the biosequestration of carbon and wastewater treatment.

- Metabolic engineering of cellular pathways for the production of fine chemicals. Metabolic engineering is the practice of optimizing genetic and regulatory processes within cells to increase the cells’ production of beneficial substances, especially to produce novel natural products. The potential application of such efforts is massive including biofuels, chemicals, foods, feeds, and pharmaceuticals. In our lab, we are developing natural products from biochemicals via metabolic engineering of relevant cellular pathways and recovering these novel products using tailored extraction methods.

Microbial synthesis of biofuels and bioproducts via consolidated bioprocessing. Current chemical industries are largely petroleum based. It is expected that about 30% of the total chemical industry will be based on renewable sources by 2050. At present, a good number of bio‐based products are derived from corn syrup and other sugar sources. In our lab, we are using microbes to produce the next generation biofuels and bioproducts to complement sustainable fuel future.

Bioconversion of liquid and solid wastes into useful products
Bioconversion relates to the processing of organic matter, such as plant or animal waste, into usable products or energy sources via biological processes using microorganisms or enzymes. Our research focuses on the development of scalable and sustainable systems and methods for the conversion of waste materials into fuels, chemicals, agro-products and animal feed.

Contact - (423) 425-5459. Email – michael-danquah@utc.edu