Session: Biomimicry & Bioinspired Materials

This session will highlight recent activities in the field of biomimetic and bioinspired materials. Topics include coordinating molecular recognition and interactions to design biological, biohybrid, and artificial materials that are structurally or functionally similar to biological structures. In particular, the focus of this session is on systems that mimic and improve upon well-understood biological and biomolecular principles. We invite topics that involve materials consisting of (i) natural and/or synthetic molecules that have been assembled/synthesized by in biological systems; (ii) hybrid structures made of synthetic and natural biological molecules; or (iii) materials consisting of man-made synthetic and/or in vitro building blocks. We encourage faculty candidates to submit abstracts directly to the general “Biomaterials: Faculty Candidates” session. Graduate Students: By applying to this session you may be eligible for the Biomaterials Graduate Student Award Session established to honor the best graduate student submissions through recognition and cash awards. To be considered for the award session, students must indicate in the abstract text to this session that they wish their abstract to also be considered for the award session and submit an application packet via e-mail by the abstract deadline. See the "Biomaterials: Graduate Student Award Session (Invited Talks)" session for full instructions.