Research summary
Research developed self-assembled monolayers, soft lithography, and microfluidic methods that connect chemistry with materials science and biology. A review on self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of thiolates on metals treated them as a form of nanotechnology, covering preparation, characterization, and applications across surface science and device engineering [1]. The original preparation of these SAMs by spontaneous assembly of organic thiols from solution onto gold was reported earlier, establishing the experimental basis used by subsequent SAM literature [9]. A perspective on self-assembly at all scales surveyed the autonomous organization of components across the molecular-to-planetary range and across diverse interaction types, providing a conceptual map for using self-assembly in synthesis [2], with an earlier review framing molecular self-assembly as a chemical strategy for synthesizing 1-100 nm nonbiological structures [6]. Soft lithography was introduced as a non-photolithographic strategy based on self-assembly and replica molding using elastomeric stamps to generate patterns from 30 nm to 100 microns via microcontact printing, replica molding, microtransfer molding, micromolding in capillaries, and solvent-assisted micromolding [5]. A procedure for rapid prototyping of microfluidic systems in poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) demonstrated CAD-to-device fabrication of channel networks (>20 microns wide) in less than 24 hours via transparency masks, photoresist masters, PDMS casting, and oxygen-plasma sealing [3]. Chaotic mixing in low-Reynolds-number microchannels was achieved with passive bas-relief structures on the channel floor, with required channel length growing only logarithmically with the Peclet number while reducing hydrodynamic dispersion [7]. Geometric control of cell life and death was demonstrated by switching capillary endothelial cells between growth and apoptosis using micropatterned substrates with extracellular-matrix-coated adhesive islands of varying size and spacing, showing that cell shape governs growth-versus-death decisions [4]. A review of polyvalent interactions in biological systems framed the simultaneous binding of multiple ligands on one entity to multiple receptors on another as a distinct mechanism that monovalent interactions cannot replicate, with implications for the design of multivalent ligands and inhibitors [8].
Recent publications
- The origins and the future of microfluidicsDOI
- Self-Assembled Monolayers of Thiolates on Metals as a Form of NanotechnologyDOI
- Self-Assembly at All ScalesDOI
- Rapid Prototyping of Microfluidic Systems in Poly(dimethylsiloxane)DOI
- Geometric Control of Cell Life and DeathDOI
- SOFT LITHOGRAPHYDOI
- Polyvalent Interactions in Biological Systems: Implications for Design and Use of Multivalent Ligands and InhibitorsDOI
- Molecular Self-Assembly and Nanochemistry: a Chemical Strategy for the Synthesis of NanostructuresDOI
- Chaotic Mixer for MicrochannelsDOI
- Formation of monolayer films by the spontaneous assembly of organic thiols from solution onto goldDOI
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Email George M. Whitesides 6-12 months before your application deadline. Read several recent papers and reference specific work in your message. Use our how to email a Japanese professor guide for the proven email structure.
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External profiles
- ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9451-2442
- OpenAlex: openalex.org
Profile compiled from public sources (Researchmap, OpenAlex, The University of Tokyo faculty directory). Last refreshed 2026-05. Report incorrect information.