John S. Evans

Biography

PhD, California Institute of Technology 1993 DMD, University of Illinois 1982 BS, Northwestern University 1978

Research Interest

Our group is focusing on lessons from Nature. The major question is: how does Nature create three-dimensional inorganic/organic based materials like sea shells, invertebrate exoskeletons, and vertebrate bone, dentine, and enamel? As we understand it, this process uses proteins that assemble into supramolecular structures that modulate the formation of biominerals. The resulting biocomposite structure usually has modified properties as a result of protein participation. Example of unique properties include fracture and puncture resistances, amorphous precursors, single crystal formation, surface catalysis and transmission/focusing/diffusion of light. Our ultimate goal is to determine the molecular properties of these proteins that allow matrices to assemble, mineralize, and participate in the formation of naturally-occuring organic/inorganic skeletal structures. Solving problems at the interface of biology and materials requires knowledge of polypeptide structure, function, and how this impacts the self-assembly process and the physical properties of the biocomposite. This information can then be applied in material engineering to create new synthetic materials. The experimental aspects of our research include the use of NMR spectroscopy, SEM, TEM and AFM visualization, circular dichroism and fluorescence spectrometry, mass spectrometry, x-ray diffraction, molecular simulations, and other techniques obtained through our various collaborations. Interested Ph.D graduates who wish to do postdoctoral research with our group are encouraged to contact us via email and provide a CV plus the names and contact info for three Ph.D advisors. Undergraduate and Graduate students from Departments of Chemistry, Biology, and NYU Medical Center can also contact us regarding joining our group as Ph.D candidates.