Matthew Webber
Keating-Crawford Collegiate Professor of Engineering; Acting Director, Berthiaume Institute for Precision Health; Concurrent Professor
- Office
- 105F McCourtney Hall - West
Notre Dame, IN 46556 - mwebber@nd.edu
Research Areas
- Biochemistry
Research Specialties
- Materials
- Medicine
Prospective Graduate Students
Biography
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2025-present | Keating-Crawford Collegiate Professor, Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame |
| 2017-present | Concurrent Professor, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame |
| 2022-2025 | Keating-Crawford Collegiate Associate Professor, Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame |
| 2021-2022 | Associate Professor, Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame |
| 2016-2021 | Assistant Professor, Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame |
| 2012-2016 | NIH NRSA Postdoctoral Fellow, Koch Institute, MIT |
| 2011 | Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University |
| 2009 | M.S. in Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University |
| 2006 | B.S. in Chemical Engineering, University of Notre Dame |
Selected Awards
2023 Owens-Corning Award, Materials Engineering & Science Division, American Institute of Chemical Engineers
2023 Elected to College of Fellows, American Institute of Medical & Biological Engineering
2022 ACS-PMSE Elected Member-at-Large
2020 NSF CAREER Award
2020 ACS-PMSE Young Investigator Award
2019 3M Non-Tenured Faculty Award
2013 NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award
Research Interests
Using principles based in supramolecular chemistry – that is, “chemistry beyond the molecule” – the Webber Lab is interested in exploiting specific, dynamic interactions between molecules to facilitate improved therapeutics. With this design inspiration, we are modulating the association and self-assembly of oligopeptides in order to create tailored and dynamic matrices for applications in regenerative medicine. We are also using specific, high affinity host-guest macrocycle chemistry to enable precise targeting and transport of drugs and therapeutic agents. Finally, we are generating new classes of recombinant materials using protein-derived affinity motifs to promote three-dimensional structures. In sum, our work aims to leverage the engineering of supramolecular motifs to improve the practice of medicine.
Selected Publications
- Kadu, P.; Webber, B.; DeWolf, E. L.; Liu, D. P. and Webber, M. J. "Supramolecular Peptide Coacervates for Dual-Hormone Glycemic Control Via Opposing Glucose Recognition Mechanisms" 2026 Chemical Engineering Journal, 544, 178864. DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2026.178864.
- Xiao, R. Q. and Webber, M. J. "Engineering the Fourth Dimension of Cell-Instructive Hydrogels through Dynamic Bonding☆" 2026 Journal of Controlled Release, 397, 115132. DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2026.115132.
- Kraft, A.; Schmidt, C. R.; Akakpo, C.; Biedermann, F.; Webber, M. J. and Isaacs, L. "Cucurbit[N]Uril-Type Molecular Containers" 2026 Nature Reviews Methods Primers, 6 (1), 40. DOI: 10.1038/s43586-026-00495-2.
- Liu, D. P.; Zou, L.; Fan, B. W.; Chi, T.; Gates, B. D.; Su, B. and Webber, M. J. "Metabolic Glycoengineering of Synthetic "Membrane Receptors" Via Supramolecular Host-Guest Recognition" 2026 Bioconjugate Chemistry, 37 (4), pp.693–698. DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.6c00076.
- Dewolf, E. L.; Webber, B. and Webber, M. J. "Molecular Engineering of Designer Diabetes Therapeutics" 2026 Journal of Controlled Release, 392, 114705. DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2026.114705.
- DeWolf, E. L.; Chen, W. K.; Webber, B.; Power, E. M.; Kilmer, R.; Kadu, P.; Xian, S. J. and Webber, M. J. "Engineering a Glucose-Responsive Glucagon Prodrug through Arginine-Phenylboronic Acid Pendant Modification" 2026 Small Science, 6 (3), e202500555. DOI: 10.1002/smsc.202500555.