Handan Acar received her BSc in Gazi University in 2006 and MSc In Ankara University in 2008. She obtained her PhD in materials science and nanotechnology in UNAM, Bilkent University in 2013, where she worked on the synthesis and characterization of self-assembling peptides and their application as templates for one-dimensional inorganic nanostructures under the supervision of Professor Mustafa O. Guler. Then she moved to Iowa to work as a postdoctoral researcher in mechanical engineering at Iowa State University (2013-2014) with Professor Reza Montazami. In 2014 she joined Professor Matthew Tirrell's group as a postdoctoral researcher at the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering at the University of Chicago where she is working jointly with Professor James LaBelle's group at the Pritzker School of Medicine at the University of Chicago. Her current work focuses on complex coacervate formations with novel polyelectrolytes and designing peptides as biocompatible-engineered therapeutics at the nanoscale.
Handan's research aims to use non-biological interdisciplinary approaches for biological applications. One part of her research is on forming complex coacervates in organic solvents in order to expand their applications. She also focuses on designing and developing peptides that can be used both therapeutically and diagnostically, binding to target cells with high levels of specificity. Her research utilizes both chemical and biological concepts in an effort to develop cancer therapeutics. She uses chemical tools and engineering approaches, such as programmable self-assembling molecules, to understand and manipulate biological systems. These include biocompatible engineered therapeutics at the nanoscale. In the Tirrell goup, her specific interest is on designing peptide amphihile micelles for immunology and cancer therapy in collaboration with Dr. James LaBelle.
Ion Specificity Influences on the Structure of Zwitterionic Brushes
Macromolecules 2023, 56, 5, 1945–1953
Sequence-Controlled Secondary Structures and Stimuli Responsiveness of Bioinspired Polyampholytes
Biomacromolecules 2022, 23, 9, 3798–3809
Harnessing the therapeutic potential of biomacromolecules through intracellular delivery of nucleic acids, peptides and proteins
Yu Tian, Matthew V. Tirrell, James L. LaBelle. "Harnessing the therapeutic potential of biomacromolecules through intracellular delivery of nucleic acids, peptides and proteins". Advanced Healthcare Materials, 2022.
Targeted polyelectrolyte complex micelles treat vascular complications in vivo
Zhengjie Zhou, Chih-Fan Yeh, Michael Mellas, Myung-Jin Oh, Jiayu Zhu, Jin Li, Ru-Ting Huang, Devin L Harrison, Tzu-Pin Shentu, David Wu, Michael Lueckheide, Lauryn Carver, Eun Ji Chung, Lorraine Leon, Kai-Chien Yang, Matthew V Tirrell, Yun Fang. "Targeted polyelectrolyte complex micelles treat vascular complications in vivo", PNAS.
Protein primary structure correlates with calcium oxalate stone matrix preference
Yu Tian, Matthew Tirrell, Carley Davis, Jeffrey A Wesson. "Protein primary structure correlates with calcium oxalate stone matrix preference". Plos One, 2021, e0257515.
Polyampholyte physics: Liquid–liquid phase separation and biological condensates
Dinic, Jelena, Amanda B. Marciel, and Matthew V. Tirrell. "Polyampholyte physics: Liquid–liquid phase separation and biological condensates." Current opinion in colloid & interface science 54 (2021): 101457.
Polymersomes Decorated with the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Receptor-Binding Domain Elicit Robust Humoral and Cellular Immunity
"Polymersomes Decorated with the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Receptor-Binding Domain Elicit Robust Humoral and Cellular Immunity". ACS Cent. Sci. 2021, 7, 8, 1368-1380.
Advances in the Structural Design of Polyelectrolyte Complex Micelles
Alexander E. Marras, Jeffrey M. Ting, Kaden C. Stevens, and Matthew V. Tirrell. "Advances in the Structural Design of Polyelectrolyte Complex Micelles". J. Phys. Chem. B, 2021, 125, 26, 7076-7089.
Physical Property Scaling Relationships for Polyelectrolyte Complex Micelles
Alexander E. Marras, Trinity R. Campagna, Jeffrey R. Vieregg, and Matthew V. Tirrell. "Physical Property Scaling Relationships for Polyelectrolyte Complex Micelles". Macromolecules, 2021, 54, 13, 6585-6594.
Effect of Solvent Quality on the Phase Behavior of Polyelectrolyte Complexes
Lu Li, Artem M Rumyantsev, Samanvaya Srivastava, Siqi Meng, Juan J de Pablo, Matthew V Tirrell. "Effect of Solvent Quality on the Phase Behavior of Polyelectrolyte Complexes", Macromolecules, 2020.