My research focuses on creation of synthetic polymers that mimic protein function; specifically, polymers that are able to recognize and bind a certain molecule out of a host of competing species.

The first part of my project has been studying the formation of polymer networks using molecular dynamics simulations coupled with a kinetic gelation approach for network growth. With these simulations, we are able to see what intermolecular interactions are important in materials with recognitive abilities. In the case of networks for glucose recognition, we have validated our simulations with spectroscopic evidence from FTIR and NMR.

The second part of my PhD work has focused on the creation of materials that are able to bind proteins. These materials have promise in numerous applications including as a sensing element, as a synthetic antibody, in protein separations, and in drug delivery. To this end, we have synthesized nano- and microparticles that are able to bind large amounts of our model proteins.

N.A. Peppas, D. Henthorn, M. Torres-Lugo and J.H. Ward, "Novel Protein Delivery Based on PEG," Acta Technologiae et Legis Medicamenti., 10, 73 (1999).

J. D. Kosmala, D. B. Henthorn, and L. Brannon-Peppas, “Preparation of interpenetrating networks of gelatin and dextran as degradable biomaterials”, Biomaterials 21, 2019 (2000).

D. T. Birnbaum, J. D. Kosmala, D. B. Henthorn, and L. Brannon-Peppas, “Controlled release of ß-estradiol from PLAGA microparticles: The effect of organic phase solvent on encapsulation and release”, Journal of Controlled Release 65, 375 (2000).

M. E. Byrne, D. B. Henthorn, Y. Huang, and N. A. Peppas, “Micropatterning Biomimetic Materials for Bioadhesion and Drug Delivery” in Biomimetic Materials and Design, 2002, eds. A. Dillow and A. M. Lowman, Marcel Dekker, New York, NY, pp. 443-470.

D. B. Henthorn, K. Park, N. A. Peppas, “Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for Glucose Recognition: Correlations between Simulation and Spectroscopy”, in preparation.

D. B. Henthorn, N. A. Peppas, “Recognitive Polymer Nanoparticles for Protein Binding, Separation, and Sensing”, in preparation.