We engineer biomaterials based on rationally designed self‑assembling peptides (SAPs) that respond to biochemical cues, modulate immune behaviour, and support tissue repair. Our long‑term vision is to build programmable biomaterials capable of guiding inflammation toward resolution and enabling true regeneration in chronically imbalanced tissues.
We work at the interface of supramolecular chemistry, immunology, peptide design, and biomaterials engineering, combining fundamental materials science with translational biomedical applications.
Research Projects and networks
DeCodeGels – ERC Starting Grant (101219936) - Project link: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101219936
DeCodeGels focuses on developing injectable self‑assembling peptide hydrogels for controlling inflammation and regenerating damaged tissues, with tendinopathy as a key disease context. We design SAPs with tailored adhesion, degradation profiles, and immunomodulatory properties. Our approach uses precise amino‑acid programming to shift macrophage behaviour from pro‑inflammatory to pro‑healing states, enabling resolution of chronic inflammation.
Key directions include:
- Adhesive SAP hydrogels for local tissue anchoring
- Programmable degradation matched to biological timelines
- Immunomodulatory motifs for controlled macrophage polarization
- Translational application to chronic tendon inflammation
EU COST Action 23111 Searching for Nanostructured or pOre fOrming Peptides for therapY (SNOOPY) - Project link: https://cost-snoopy.eu/
Our groups is involved in the European cost action focussing on improving the production, sustainability, and efficiency of bioactive peptides and nanostructures while advancing their study through enhanced characterization techniques. Jacek Wychowaniec is co-leader of working group 2: Production & characterization of bioactive peptides & peptide nanostructures. We are happy to host researchers as part of the short scientific term mission exchange grants: https://cost-snoopy.eu/calls-grants/.
EU COST Action CA22170 TEndon Regeneration NETwork (TENET) - Project link: https://cost-tenet.eu/
Our group members are involved in the European cost action focussing on tendon regeneration, particularly in Working Group 3: Biomaterials, cells and molecular therapeutics for advanced tendon therapies. We are happy to host researchers as part of the TENET short scientific term mission exchange grants: https://cost-tenet.eu/category/grants/short-term-scientific-missions/
Group members:
Associate professor Jacek Kamil Wychowaniec
Postdoc Desiré Venegas Bustos
