Biography

2017-present

Concurrent Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame

2016-present

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

2013

NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award

2012

Dudley Childress Award

2011

American Heart Association Featured Chicago Researcher

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.

Recent Papers

• Braegelman, A. S., Webber, M. J. "Integrating stimuli–responsive properties in host–guest supramolecular drug delivery systems" 2019 Theranostics, 9 (11), pp. 3017-3040. DOI:10.7150/thno.31913.
• Sahoo, J. K., VandenBerg, M. A., Ruiz Bello, E. E., Nazareth, C. D., Webber, M. J. "Electrostatic-driven self-sorting and nanostructure speciation in self-assembling tetrapeptides" 2019 Nanoscale, 11 (35), pp. 16534-16543. DOI:10.1039/c9nr03440d.
• Sis, M. J., Webber, M. J. "Drug Delivery with Designed Peptide Assemblies" 2019 Trends in Pharmacological Sciences, DOI:10.1016/j.tips.2019.08.003.
• VandenBerg, M. A., Webber, M. J. "Biologically Inspired and Chemically Derived Methods for Glucose-Responsive Insulin Therapy" 2019 Advanced Healthcare Materials, 8 (12), DOI:10.1002/adhm.201801466.
• Zou, L., Braegelman, A. S., Webber, M. J. "Spatially Defined Drug Targeting by in Situ Host-Guest Chemistry in a Living Animal" 2019 ACS Central Science, 5 (6), pp. 1035-1043. DOI:10.1021/acscentsci.9b00195.
• Zou, L., Webber, M. J. "Reversible hydrogel dynamics by physical-chemical crosslink photoswitching using a supramolecular macrocycle template" 2019 Chemical Communications, 55 (67), pp. 9931-9934. DOI:10.1039/c9cc04748d.