Neel S. Joshi

Neel Joshi, Ph.D.
Core Faculty Member

Neel draws on synthetic chemistry, protein engineering, and programmed self-assembly in his quest to engineer new biomolecules based on the design principles found in nature. His research focus is twofold: using directed evolution to develop new proteins to perform important functions and controlling the self-assembly of certain proteins to create different types of nanostructures for different purposes. The biomaterials that could result from these dual efforts will be used to address problems at the forefront of medical imaging, tissue engineering, and drug delivery. Working in the Synthetic Biology Platform, Neel centers his research on exploring proteins that act as "switches," which can be activated by certain conditions in the body. Such a protein might be able to envelop and transport a drug through the bloodstream until encountering a physical stress that activates the switching mechanism, causing this micro-scale delivery system to release its payload at a specific site. For instance, these injectable systems would release drugs only when exposed to high shear stresses similar to those observed in pathological conditions within narrowed blood vessels. Such materials could become a new therapeutic approach for the non-invasive treatment of stroke, pulmonary embolism, angina, and atherosclerosis. Working in the Programmable Nanomaterials Platform, Neel is beginning to create proteins that can assemble themselves into vastly different structures -- from loose mesh-like scaffolds to rigid tubes -- which form building blocks for synthesizing new materials with enhanced properties. For instance, the biomaterials fabricated using nanotubes could transmit electrical signals to and from implanted electronic devices in cardiac and neuronal tissues. Other materials could have self-healing properties for tissue regeneration applications.

Neel is an Assistant Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Harvard's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. He has authored 11 publications and holds two patents.