Laboratory of Molecular Materials (m2Lab)

 

 

The ability to engineer molecular interactions with high precision underpins much of our research. We design and synthesize peptides, polymers, and hybrid molecular systems with tailored structures and functions to create adaptive materials and technologies capable of interacting with biological systems. 
Peptides constitute a central molecular building block in many of our research projects. We develop peptides as structural components for biomaterials, synthetic receptors for molecular recognition, membrane-active therapeutics, cell-instructive ligands, molecular crosslinkers, and protein-mimetic building blocks. By controlling molecular recognition, folding, self-assembly, and bioorthogonal conjugation, we engineer systems with programmable chemical and biological functions.

Beyond developing new molecular tools, we investigate the fundamental principles governing molecular interactions and self-assembly, using this knowledge to create increasingly sophisticated biomaterials, therapeutic systems, and biointerfaces.

Key papers:

S. Naeimipour, F. Rasti Boroojeni, P. Lifwergren, R. Selegård, D. Aili, ”Multimodal and Dynamic Cross-Linking of Modular Thiolated Alginate-Based Bioinks”, Mater. Today Adv., 2023, 19, 100415.

C. Aronsson, M. Jury, S. Naeimipour, F. Rasti Boroojeni, J. Christoffersson, P. Lifwergren, C.-F. Mandenius, R. Selegård, D. Aili, "Dynamic Peptide-folding Mediated Biofunctionalization and Modulation of Hydrogels for 4D Bioprinting", Biofabrication, 2020, 12, 035031.

C. Aronsson, S. Dånmark, F. Zhou, P. Öberg, K. Enander, H. Su, D. Aili, "Self-Sorting Heterodimeric Coiled Coil Peptides with Defined and Tuneable Self-Assembly Properties”, Sci. Rep., 2015, 5, 14063.

 

Adaptive biomaterials provide the foundation for many of our research activities. We develop biomaterials that actively communicate with cells and tissues by sensing, responding to, and modulating biological signals. These dynamic interactions enable materials that better mimic the complexity of living tissues while providing new opportunities for diagnostics, regenerative medicine, and advanced therapeutic technologies.

Our research combines synthetic polymers, natural biomaterials, peptides, and bioorthogonal chemistries to engineer hydrogels, nanocellulose-based materials, injectable biomaterials, and advanced wound dressings with programmable biological functions. A major focus is understanding how material properties, including stiffness, degradability, viscoelasticity, and molecular architecture, influence cellular behavior and tissue regeneration.

We are also developing next-generation biofabrication technologies for engineering complex biological systems. By combining innovative bioinks, granular biomaterials, 3D bioprinting, and modular fabrication strategies, we create physiologically relevant tissue models for studying human development and disease, as well as engineered tissues for regenerative medicine and advanced therapies.

Key papers:

P. Lifwergren, V. Schoen, S. Naeimipour, L. Khare, A. Wunder, H. Blom, J. G. Martinez, P. Pagella, A. Fridberger, J. Junker, D. Aili, “Printing and Rerouting of Elastic and Protease Responsive Shape Memory Hydrogel Filaments”, Adv. Healthcare Mater., 2025, 2502262.

R. Shamasha, S. K. Ramanathan, K. Oskarsdotter, F. Rasti Boroojeni, A. Zielińska, S. Naeimipour, P. Lifwergren, N. Reustle, L. Roberts, A. Starkenberg, G. Kratz, P. Apelgren, K. Säljö, J. Rakara, L. Kölby, D. Aili, J. Junker, “Biphasic Granular Bioinks for Biofabrication of High Cell Density Constructs for Dermal Regeneration”, Adv. Healthcare Mater., 2025, 2501430.

M. Jury, I. Matthiesen, F. Rasti Boroojeni, S. Ludwig, L. Civitelli, T. E. Winkler, R. Selegård, A. Herland, D. Aili, "Bioorthogonally Cross-Linked Hyaluronan-Laminin Hydrogels for 3D Neuronal Cell Culture and Biofabrication", Adv. Healthcare Mater., 2022, 11, 2102097.

 

Communication between synthetic materials and biological systems is fundamental to many emerging technologies in healthcare and biotechnology. We develop molecular biointerfaces that enable materials to sense, interpret, and respond to biological information, creating dynamic interactions between living systems and engineered materials.

Our research combines molecular recognition, peptide engineering, surface chemistry, nanotechnology, and advanced transduction principles to develop biosensors and molecular sensing platforms for biomolecular interaction analysis, disease diagnostics, therapeutic monitoring, and environmental sensing. We investigate both label-free and affinity-based sensing technologies, including nanoplasmonic biosensors, while also developing bioresponsive materials capable of directly reporting or responding to changes in their biological environment.

Beyond conventional biosensors, we explore how molecular communication can be integrated into adaptive biomaterials and therapeutic systems, enabling materials that not only detect biological signals but also actively interact with and influence biological function.

Key papers:

O. Eskilson, E. Wiman, N. Reustle, J. Langwagen, Z. Sotra, A. Svärd, R. Selegård, Y. Baş, L. Berglund, K. Oksman, T. Bengtsson, J.P.E. Junker, H. Khalaf, D. Aili ”Nanocellulose Wound Dressings with Integrated Protease Sensors for Detection of Wound Pathogens", ACS Sensors, 2025, 10, 3953-3963.

O. Eskilson, E. Zattarin, L. Berglund, K. Oksman, K. Hanna, J. Rakar, P. Sivlér, M. Skog, I. Rinklake, R. Shamasha, Z. Sotra, A. Starkenberg, M. Odén, E. Wiman, H. Khalaf, T. Bengtsson, J. P.E. Junker, R. Selegård, E. M. Björk, D. Aili, ”Nanocellulose Composite Wound Dressings for Real-time pH Wound Monitoring”, Mater. Today Bio., 2023, 19, 100574.

T. Tran, E. Martinsson, S. Vargas, I. Lundström, C.-F. Mandenius, D. Aili, “Nanoplasmonic Avidity-Based Detection and Quantification of IgG Aggregates”, Anal. Chem. 2022, 94, 15754−15762.

 

Many biological processes are controlled through highly dynamic molecular interactions. We engineer programmable molecular systems capable of selectively interacting with biological membranes, proteins, and cells to regulate biological function with high spatial and temporal precision.

A major focus of our research is the development of programmable membrane-active peptides and molecular therapeutics whose activity can be modulated by disease-associated biological signals, such as protease activity or changes in the local biochemical environment. By combining peptide engineering, molecular recognition, and responsive delivery systems, we develop therapeutic strategies that remain inactive until activated at their intended site of action, thereby improving specificity while minimizing unwanted side effects.

These molecular technologies are applied to address challenges in infectious diseases, advanced drug delivery, tissue regeneration, and precision medicine, while simultaneously providing new tools for studying fundamental biological processes and molecular communication within living systems.

Ultimately, we aim to develop therapeutic systems capable of establishing functional molecular communication with living tissues, enabling therapies that adapt their activity to the biological environment in real time.

Key papers:

E. Zattarin, W. B. Kebede, Z. Sotra, R. Shamasha, A. Starkenberg, V. Guerrero-Florez, L. P. Khare, T. Bengtsson, H. Khalaf, E. M. Björk, J. Rakar, J. P. E. Junker, D. Aili, “Enzyme Responsive Antimicrobial Hyaluronan-Nanocellulose Hybrid Wound Dressings for the Treatment of Infected Wounds, Bioactive Mater., 2026, 61. 150–171.

A. Iversen, J. Utterström, B. Kanti Das, R. Selegård, L. P. Khare, D. Aili, “Orthogonal Conjugation of Anchoring-dependent Membrane Active Peptides for Tuning of Liposome Permeability”, J. Mater. Chem. B, 2025, 13, 10267-10277.

A. Iversen, J. Utterström, L. Khare, D. Aili, ”Influence of Lipid Vesicle Properties on the Function of Conjugation Dependent Membrane Active Peptides”, J. Mater. Chem. B., 2024, 12, 10320 – 10331.

Emulate & understand: two faces of one coin. In our team, we strive to understand how tissue-resident cells, extracellular matrices, innervation, vasculature and immune cells cooperate and modulate each other’s responses to ensure organ-level functions and topographies. We use this information to create complex, complete 3D models of human organs and diseases. At the same time, we exploit these tools to advance our understanding of tissue development, homeostasis, and the onset of diseases. Our current focus is on the emulation of human dental tissues, human oral cancers, and the human trigeminal complex.