Mustafa Özgür Güler, PhD

Mustafa Özgür GülerPh. D. Chemistry, Northwestern University, 2006
M.S. Chemistry, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2002
B. S. Chemistry, Boğaziçi University, 2000

Mailing Address:
UNAM-Institute of Materials Science and Nanotechnology
Bilkent University
Bilkent, Ankara 06800 
E-mail: moguler(at)unam.bilkent.edu.tr
Phone: +90-312-290 3552
Fax: +90-312-266 4365
Group: http://www.nano.org.tr/~moguler

Research Interests:

Bioinspired and biomimetic materials, functional materials, biomaterials, self-assembled supramolecular systems, smart coatings for surface science, regenerative medicine, catalytic nanostructures, and materials for renewable energy.

Current Research:

Our research is based on discoveries at the interface of chemistry, biology, and materials science. We study concepts of making materials which mimic the structure and function of the biological materials through programmed self-assembly of small molecules. The self-assembly mechanism that forms the supramolecular aggregates involves non-covalent interactions such as hydrogen bonds, electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions.  Diverse functional groups are incorporated into nanostructures, for example bioactive peptide sequences and metal chelating groups as well as hydrophobic motifs that include alkyl chains, steroid rings, and aromatic systems. The potential impact of these nanostructures on biomaterials, regenerative medicine, drug delivery, bio-imaging, catalytic systems and photovoltaics is being studied.

Representative Publications:

  • Toksöz, S.; Guler, M. O. "Self-Assembled Peptidic Nanostructures " Nano Today, 2009, 4, 458-469.
  • Sargeant, T.D.; Guler, M. O.; Oppenheimer, S. M.; Dunand, D. C.; Stupp, S. I. "Hybrid Bone Implants: Self-Assembly of Peptide Amphiphile Nanofibers within Porous Titanium" Biomaterials, 2008, 29, 161-171.
  • Guler, M. O.; Stupp, S. I. "A Self-Assembled Nanofiber Catalyst for Ester Hydrolysis" J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 2007, 129, 12082-12083.
  • Guler, M. O.; Hsu, L.; Soukasene, S.; Harrington, D. A.; Hulvat, J. F.; Stupp, S. I. "Presentation of RGDS Epitopes on Self-Assembled Nanofibers of Branched Peptide Amphiphiles" Biomacromolecules 2006, 7, 1855-1863.
  • Guler, M. O.; Soukasene, S.; Hulvat, J. F.; Stupp, S. I. "Presentation and Recognition of Biotin on Nanofibers Formed by Branched Peptide Amphiphiles" Nano Lett. 2005, 5, 249-252.
  • Guler, M. O.; Pokorski, J. K.; Appella, D. H.; Stupp, S. I. "Enhanced Oligonucleotide Binding to Self-Assembled Nanofibers" Bioconjugate Chem. 2005, 16, 501-503.
  • Guler, M. O.; Claussen, R. C.; Stupp, S. I. "Encapsulation of Pyrene within Self-Assembled Peptide Amphiphile Nanofibers" J. Mater. Chem. 2005, 15, 4507-4512.