The ability to direct the assembly of inorganic nanoparticles has received growing interest in the creation of new nanotechnology devices and in medical science. Assembly and dis-assembly of such assemblies under physiologically accessible environmental conditions, as triggered for example by changes in pH or the presence of enzymes is valuable for materials to be utilized for sensing in vivo and drug delivery. Here I will describe some of our research into peptide-functionalized nanoparticles that respond to biological stimuli such as enzymes and physiologically relevant small changes in environmental pH. Bio-inspired nanomaterials are also emerging as interesting candidates to influence cell behavior. Cells are inherently sensitive to their surroundings and here I will show some examples of how defined nanoscale topographical and chemical features can be exploited to control cell behavior.

- Laromaine, A, Koh, LL, Murugesan, M, Ulijn, RV, Stevens, MM, Protease-triggered dispersion of nanoparticle assemblies, J AM CHEM SOC, 2007, Vol: 129, Pages: 4156 - +.

- Stevens, MM, George, JH, Exploring and engineering the cell surface interface., SCIENCE, 2005, Vol: 310, Pages: 1135 - 1138.

- Mwenifumbo, S, Shaffer, MS, Stevens, MM, Exploring cellular behaviour with multi-walled carbon nanotube constructs, J MATER CHEM, 2007, Vol: 17, Pages: 1894 - 1902.