Research Projects

This proposal explores the principles of non-equilibrium transport in biological media through two interconnected projects. The first project focuses on the motion of active motors in soft, porous hydrogel matrices, which mimic biological environments such as tissues and the vitreous cavity of the eye. Using particle-based simulations that incorporate hydrodynamics to capture complex fluid-structure interactions, this project aims to understand how nanomotor properties (e.g., shape, propulsion mechanism) and hydrogel characteristics (e.g., pore size, stiffness, and mesh heterogeneity), along with particle-gel interactions, influence transport efficiency. The insights gained will guide the design of bio-inspired nanomotors capable of precise navigation through porous biological media, with potential applications in targeted drug delivery and diagnostic technologies. Furthermore, the results can inform the development of advanced filtration systems, enabling the selective filtration of microorganisms in microfluidic devices. The second project extends these findings by addressing the critical challenge of optimizing drug delivery in bacterial biofilms. Biofilms are protected by an extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) matrix that acts as an actively fluctuating diffusion barrier, significantly reducing the effectiveness of drug delivery and contributing to antibiotic resistance. Drug transport in biofilms depends on particle size, shape, and interactions with the biofilm matrix. This project aims to investigate how these factors affect drug penetration, retention, and efficacy. Computational models will explore strategies such as traditional enzyme-mediated EPS degradation coupled with active propulsion mechanisms to enhance drug delivery. Variations in biofilm structure, caused by differences in bacterial species, growth stages, or environmental conditions, will also be considered. Together, these projects offer a physics-based framework for understanding transport in biological systems, addressing challenges in nanomotor design and biofilm-targeted drug delivery. The outcomes will help in advancing healthcare technologies, materials science, and the broader understanding of active matter physics.