Elizabeth Gillies
Assistant Professor
B.Sc., Queen’s University
Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley
Marie Curie Post-Doctoral Fellow
University of Bordeaux , France
Office: MSA 3202; Lab: MSA 3246, 3248, 3250
Phone (Office): (519) 661-2111 ext 80223
Organic, polymer, and biomaterials Chemistry
Awards:
• Tier 2 Canada Research Chair
• John Charles Polanyi Prize
Current Research Programs:
Our research involves the design, synthesis and application of functional molecules. The molecules of interest can
range from well-defined oligomers and dendrimers to higher molecular weight polymers. In particular, we are
interested in the interactions of these molecules and their supramolecular assemblies with biological systems to
serve as new biomaterials and therapeutics. For example, molecules designed to interact with cell membranes can
serve as new antibiotics or vehicles for the delivery of molecules into cells. Polymeric assemblies may be used to
encapsulate or display biologically active molecules, thereby serving as drug carriers or tissue engineering
scaffolds. Furthermore, macromolecules are of increasing interest in the development of biological imaging contrast
agents that are capable of targeting and responding to specific disease states. Some key features that we will
focus on in the design of our systems are the control of molecular and supramolecular architecture (eg. the shape
and conformation) and the use of chemical synthesis to engineer specific biological properties.
Students in our group will have the opportunity to gain experience in the synthesis of small molecules and polymers
and in their characterization using a wide range of techniques such as NMR, IR, and mass spectroscopies,
HPLC, GPC/SEC, light scattering, and imaging methods such as AFM and TEM. To test the utility of our new systems,
students will also be encouraged to participate in some biological experiments.
For more information about the group please visit our research group homepage.
Selected Publications:
Bonduelle, C. V.; Karamdoust, S.; Gillies, E. R.* "Synthesis and Assembly of Butyl Rubber-Poly(ethylene oxide) Graft Copolymers: From Surface Patterning to Resistance to Protein Adsorption." Macromolecules, 2011, 44, 6405-6415. Martin, A. L.; Li, B.; Gillies, E. R.* “Surface Functionalization of Nanomaterials with Dendritic Groups: Towards Enhanced Binding to Biological Targets.” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2009, 131, 734-741.
Knight, D. K.; Gillies, E. R.; Mequanint, K.* “Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Interactions on Biodegradable Poly(ester amide)s.” Biomacromolecules, 2011, 12, 1275-1287.
DeWit, M. A.; Beaton, A.; Gillies, E. R. "A Reduction Sensitive Cascade Biodegradable Linear Polymer." J. Polym. Sci. A: Polym. Chem. 2010, 48, 3977-3985.
DeWit, M. A.; Gillies E. R.* “A Cascade Biodegradable Polymer Based on Alternating Cyclization and Elimination Reactions.“ J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2009, 131, 18327-18334.
