Research Spotlight on Dr. Anant Paravastu
Spring 2011
Assistant Professor
Anant K. Paravastu, an Assistant Professor of Chemical & Biomedical Engineering, has won a highly competitive, five-year National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development Award, also known as a CAREER Award, totaling $404,992 to advance his research into "designer" proteins, an area of study that could contribute to breakthroughs in the emerging fields of regenerative medicine and nanotechnology.
NSF CAREER Awards are designated for scientists who are still in the early stages of their academic careers and are intended to help them build upon previous accomplishments in their areas of research.
Paravastu's project, titled "Solid State NMR Characterization Of Molecular Structure And Self-Assembly Of Protein Nanofiber Matrices," involves evaluating at the molecular level the self-assembly and self-healing processes, among other properties, of certain protein structures. The knowledge gained from his research could help lead to the development of a biologically inspired, "bottom-up" approach to nanomaterial construction with applications in regenerative medicine and nanotechnology.
"Recently, scientists have used insights gained from decades of studying the structural biology of naturally occurring proteins to engineer 'designer' proteins capable of forming nanofiber matrices, or tissue scaffolds," Paravastu said. "These scaffolds show great promise in regenerative medicine; for example, recent reports indicate that they have the ability to support the healing of damaged neurons or the encapsulation of transplanted stem cells.
"Particularly interesting properties of these proteins include their ability to adapt their structures to environmental stimuli and regenerate their nanostructures following damage," he added. "Through the full characterization of molecular structures and formation pathways for designer-protein tissue scaffolds, we seek to achieve unprecedented control of the biological, physical and chemical properties."
In conducting his research, Paravastu employs an incredibly powerful analytical technique known as solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy using tools located at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory. With this technique, he utilizes high magnetic fields to measure the strengths, directions and temporary fluctuations of magnetic interactions between the atoms within a protein.)
In addition, the educational requirements of Paravastu's award include integrating his research findings into coursework for a wide range of student age groups, as well as creating new opportunities for undergraduate and graduate-level research. He will also work to stimulate enthusiasm for science and technology among children, families and middle- through high-school students, particularly those from groups that are historically underrepresented in the science field.
Paravastu began his academic career at Florida State in 2008 after earning a doctorate in chemical engineering from the University of California, Berkeley and a bachelor's degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He has also completed graduate work at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, Calif., and postdoctoral research at the National Institute of Diabetes & Kidney Diseases in Bethesda, Md.
"As much as I love my work, I am well aware that there is a great deal of excellent science being done by young professors in the United States," he said. "The message I get from this success is that I benefited from strong support from FSU and effectively justified my project in terms that are consistent with the NSF review process. I am humbled by this honor and look forward to delivering on my promises."
By Barry Ray
