Research Projects

One of humanity’s important scientific pursuits is to create synthetic materials inspired by the unique properties of living matter. Unlike conventional materials, living systems remain in an entropically disfavored, far-from-equilibrium state sustained by continuous energy input: a principle that has rarely been explored in material design. A central challenge, therefore, is whether we can engineer systems that not only replicate the structural aspects of living matter but also emulate its dynamic, adaptive behaviors under non-equilibrium conditions. The core challenge is to develop a minimal synthetic system that sustains itself through continuous (chemical) energy input, capable of performing dynamic and adaptive tasks such as spatiotemporal catalysis, oscillations, and chemotaxis. This proposal addresses that challenge by constructing minimal, enzyme-free chemical systems that exploits chemical energy to driven critical properties of living matter: metabolism, replication, and compartmentalization. These functionalities will be developed individually in Objective 1 through Work Packages 1A (metabolic catalysis using peptide assemblies), 1B (template-free self-replication via nucleobase–peptide hybrids), and 1C (compartment with life death cycles). Building on these, Objective 2 will integrate the modules into a single orthogonal system operating in open, non-equilibrium environments (WP2A), and explore structural morphologies for chemotactic motility (WP2B).In Objective 3 will involve applications: WP3A will focus on oscillatory catalytic gels for programmable drug release (in collaboration with Honorary PI Dr. Susanta Samajdar, Aurigene Oncology Ltd.); WP3B will develop autonomous, enzyme-free microswimmers with embedded catalytic propulsion. Further, this objective will advance translational studies through toxicity assays and in vivo models (led by Co-PI Dr. Debanjan Mukhopadhyay, Presidency Univ), and integrate microfluidic technologies for spatiotemporal monitoring (with Honorary PI Dr. Dileep Mampallil, IISER Tirupati). Co-PI Dr. Mousumi Das will guide DFT-based structural optimization. The core scientific challenge is to realize autonomously sustaining systems with living matter like properties via open systems containing minimal building blocks; in combination that can demonstrate emergent behaviors such as oscillation, autopoiesis, and chemotaxis. Our prior results provide strong proof-of-concept for individual modules, but their integration into open, adaptive networks remains unexplored. The proposal’s novelty lies in shifting from passive equilibrium driven materials to accessing active materials that adapt and evolve in response to chemical energy inputs to eventually create synthetic platforms with living systems like dynamics. The anticipated impact spans fundamental systems chemistry and biophysics to access innovative materials for real-world applications in autonomous drug delivery, diagnostics, and intelligent soft robotics.