• Featured as the 75 scientists shaping Indian future, compendium released by DST.
• Ramalingaswami Fellowship, 2017
• Young Scientist Research Grant by DST-SERB in 2015
•  Biomolecular Sciences annual presentation Award at University of Pisa, 2009.
•  Marie Curie INVENTSCIENCE Meeting Best Presentation Award in Portugal, 2009
• Winner of Biomaterial fellowship from the University of Pisa in 2007

Research Area

The research team is working on chemistries and techniques to develop biomimetic systems that find application as biomaterials. The research in the group revolves around developing biomaterials from both biological as well as synthetic sources. The synthetic systems mostly deal with polymers and their chemistry while the biological systems are focused on extracellular vesicles.  The expected outcome is to develop biomaterial constructs integrated with tailored functionalization strategies for various biotechnology related applications. The broad areas in which research in the group is ongoing are:

Designing of protein based biomaterials

The focus is on design, fabrication and characterization of novel proteins as suitable  biomaterials. Appropriate chemistries are performed on these proteins to enable processing and subsequently investigating their interaction with biological entities, both in terms of their fundamental aspects and with specific applications for tissue engineering

Targeting  therapeutics to bone via biomaterials

Bone related diseases are becoming a major public health problem worldwide and continuous effort in developing therapeutic routes are being investigated to combat these diseases.   Delivering drugs specifically to bone tissue is very challenging owing to its structure, which is one of the most complex hierarchical micro and nano-structure in the human body. This complex architecture and structure of bone tissue requires proper selection of drug carriers that can target specific diseased parts of the bone. A part of the research work in the team is deals with (1) identifying, understanding bone targeting moieties (2) development of controlled drug delivery systems  and (3) understanding drug interactions and overall optimization of the  carrier in order to develop bone targeted synergistic drug delivery systems.

Interface tissue engineering

Interface tissue engineering aims to regenerate functional tissues in order to repair or to regenerate diseased or damaged zones between different tissue types. The interfacial tissue reconstruction between soft and hard tissues is a challenge.  Conventional scaffolds made up of monophasic biomaterials often do not serve the purpose in regenerating complex structures, instead biomimetic scaffolds with graded properties might provide a solution. The research focuses on designing strategies that can better mimic this transition with gradient-based designs that  include biomaterials with gradients in material composition, mechanical properties as well as release signals.

After joining DBT-ILS

Patents

1. Dash, S. Samal, D. Barik, A 3D-EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX SCAFFOLD AND METHOD OF PREPARATION THEREOF, Indian Patent Application Number- 202331001486.
2. Dash, D. Barik, A THERMORESPONSIVE HYDROGEL AND A METHOD OF PREPARATION THEREOF, Indian Patent Application Number- 202331020916.

Book

1. Biomimetic Biomaterials for Tissue Regeneration and Drug Delivery, M. Dash, Ed. (Springer Singapore, 2021).

Journal Publications

1. G.P Panda, D. Barik, M.Dash*, Understanding matrix stiffness in vinyl polymer hydrogels: Implications in bone tissue engineering, Ahead of print in ACS Omega.
2. D. Barik, S. Shyamal, K. Das, S. Jena, A. Panda, M.Dash*, Glycoprotein injectable hydrogels promote accelerated bone regeneration through angiogenesis and innervation, Advanced Healthcare Materials, 2023, 12, (32), 2301969.
3. Dash, S.Samal, G. Panda, A.M Piras, M.Dash*, Polymeric nanoformulation of zoledronic acid rescues osteoblasts from the harmful effect of its native form: An in-vitro investigation of cytotoxic potential on osteoblasts and osteosarcoma cells, Macromolecular Bioscience, 2023, 11,2300211
4. P.K. Das, G. Panda, K. Patra, M. Dash*, The role of polyplexes in developing a green sustainable approach in agriculture, RSC Advances, 2022, 53 (12), 34463.
5. D. Barik, P.R Bejugam, C. Nayak, T.K. Mohanty, A. Singha, , H.A Declercq, M. Dash*, Polymer–Protein Hybrid Network Involving Mucin: A Mineralized Biomimetic Template for Bone Tissue Engineering, Macromolecular Bioscience, 2021, 21 (6), 2170016. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/mabi.202170016.
6. D. Barik, P. Dash, P.I Uma, S. Kumari, M. Dash*, A review on re-packaging of Bisphosphonates using biomaterials. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xphs.2021.08.028.
7. D. Barik, K. Kundu, M. Dash*, Montmorillonite stabilized chitosan-co-mucin hydrogel for tissue engineering applications. RSC Advances, 2021, 11 (48), 30329-30342. DOI: 10.1039/D1RA04803A.
8. P. Dash, A.M Piras, M. Dash*, Cell membrane coated nanocarriers – an efficient biomimetic platform for targeted therapy, Journal of controlled release : official journal of the Controlled Release Society, 2020, 327, 546-570. DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2020.09.012.
9. S. Samal, P. Dash, M. Dash*, Drug Delivery to the Bone Microenvironment Mediated by Exosomes: An Axiom or Enigma. International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2021, 16, 3509-3540. DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S307843.

Book Chapters

1. Barik, K. Kundu, M.Dash, Biomimetic biometarials in the tissue engineering perspective, M.Dash (Ed.), Springer Nature, ISBN: 978-981-16-4565-5 (2021).DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-4566-2_1
2. Samal, M.Dash, Biomimetic via exosome mimetics in regenerative medicine and therapeutics, M.Dash (Ed.), Springer Nature, ISBN: 978-981-16-4565-5 (2021).DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-4566-2_2
3. Dash, M.Dash, Biomimetic nanosystems in targeted drug delivery, M.Dash (Ed.), Springer Nature, ISBN: 978-981-16-4565-5 (2021).DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-4566-2_3

Before joining DBT-ILS

Journal Publications:

1. M Dash*, S. K. Samal, A. Morelli, C. Bartoli, H. A. Declercq, T. E. L. Douglas, P. Dubruel, and F. Chiellini, Ulvan-Chitosan Polyelectrolyte Complexes as Matrices for Enzyme Induced Biomimetic Mineralization, Carbohydrate Polymers, 2018, 182, 254-264 * corresponding author
2. M. G. Tardajos, G. Cama, M. Dash, L. Misseeuw, T. Gheysens, C. Gorzelanny, T. Coenye, P. Dubruel, Chitosan functionalized poly-ε-caprolactone electrospun fibers and 3D printed scaffolds as antibacterial materials for tissue engineering applications, Carbohydrate Polymers, 2018,191, 127-135
3. D. Devlaminck, MM. Rahman, M. Dash, SK. Samal , J. Watté, S. Van Vlierberghe, P. Dubruel, Oil-in-water emulsion impregnated electrospun poly(ethylene terephthalate) fiber mat as a novel tool for optical fiber cleaning, Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 2018,520, 64- 69
4. O. Christiaens, M. G. Tardajos, Z. Martinez, M. Dash, P. Dubruel, G. Smagghe,  Increased RNAi efficacy in Spodoptera exigua via the formulation of dsRNA with guanylated polymers, Fronteirs in Physiology, 2018, doi: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00316
5. I. Van Nieuwenhove, S. Maji, M. Dash, S. Van Vlierberghe, R. Hoogenboom, P. Dubruel, RAFT/MADIX polymerization of N-vinylcaprolactam in water-ethanol solvent mixtures, Polymer Chemistry, 2017, 8, 2433-2437.
6. M Dash*, S.K Samal, H.A. Declercq, T.E.L Douglas, D. Schaubroeck, P. Vander Voort, S. C. Leeuwenburgh, P. Dubruel, Enzymatically Biomineralized Chitosan Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering Applications, Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, 2017; 11(5): 1500-1513. doi: 10.1002/term.2048DOI: 10.1002/term.2048. * corresponding author
7. O.M. Dragostin, S. K.  Samal, M.  Dash, F.  Lupascu, A. Panzariu, C. Tuchilus, N. Ghetu, M. Danciu, P. Dubruel, D. Pieptu, C. Vasile, New antimicrobial chitosan derivatives for wound dressing applications, Carbohydrate Polymers, 2016,141,28-40
8. M Dash*. Protein Based Stimuli Responsive Materials for Tissue Engineering, in Smart Materials for Tissue Engineering: Fundamental Principles, Qun Wang (Ed.), Royal Society of Chemistry, 2016, ISBN: 978-1-78262-464-6, 10.1039/9781782626756-00045 *corresponding author
9. T.E.L Douglas, G. Krawczyk, E. Pamula, H. A Declercq, D. Schaubroeck, M.M Bucko, L. Balcaen, P. Van Der Voort, V. Bliznuk, N. M. F Vanden Vreken, M. Dash, R. Detsch, A. R Boccaccini, F. Vanhaecke, M. Cornelissen, P. Dubruel, Generation of composites for bone tissue-engineering applications consisting of gellan gum hydrogels mineralized with calcium and magnesium phosphate phases by enzymatic means, Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, 2016, 10, (11), 938–954,10.1002/term.1875
10. S.K. Samal, V. Goranov, M. Dash, A. Russo, T. Shelyakova, P. Graziosi, L. Lungaro,  A. Riminucci,  M. Uhlarz,  M. Bañobre-López,  J. Rivas,  T. Herrmannsdörfer,  J. Rajadas,  S.De Smedt,  K. Braeckmans, D. Kaplan,  V. Dediu, Multilayered Magnetic Gelatin Membrane Scaffolds, ACS Applied Materials & Interface, 7 (41), 23098–23109, 2015,10.1021/acsami.5b06813.
11. M Dash, S. K Samal, F.M Fakhouri, S.M Martelli. Bone Tissue Engineering: Biocompatible, Biodegradable Polymers, and Composites, in Encyclopedia of Biomedical Polymers and Polymeric Biomaterials, Munmaya Mishra (Ed.), Taylor & Francis, 10.1081/E-EBPP-120050759, ISBN: 1-4398-9879-0 (2015).
12. M Dash, S.K Samal, P. Dubruel. Cationic Polymers based Gene Activated Matrices for Biomedical Applications, in Cationic Polymers in Regenerative Medicine, Dr. Sangram K. Samal and Prof. Peter Dubruel (Ed.), Royal Society of Chemistry, 2015, ISBN: 978-1-84973-937-5, 438-462
13. F.G. Lupascu, M. Dash, S.K Samal, P. Dubruel, C. E. Lupusoru, R. V. Lupusoru, O. Dragostin, L. Profire, Development, optimization and biological evaluation of chitosan scaffold formulations of new xanthine derivatives for treatment of type-2 diabetes mellitus, European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences , 2015,77 (18), 122-134.
14. S. K Samal, M. Dash, P. Dubruel. Cationic Polymeric Carriers for Blood-Brain Barrier Delivery Applications, in Cationic Polymers in Regenerative Medicine, Dr. Sangram K. Samal and Prof. Peter Dubruel (Ed.), Royal Society of Chemistry, 2015, ISBN: 978-1-84973-937-5, 539-556
15. K. Samal, M. Dash, T. Shelyakova, H. A. Declercq, M. Uhlarz, M. Bañobre-López, P.Dubruel, M. Cornelissen, T. Herrmannsdörfer, J. Rivas, G. Padeletti, S. Desmedt, K. Braeckmans, D. L Kaplan, V. A. Dediu, Biomimetic Magnetic Silk Scaffolds, ACS Applied Materials & Interface, 2015, 7 (11) 6282-6292
16. M. Dash*, S.K Samal, C. Bartoli, A. Morelli, P. F. Smet, P. Dubruel, F. Cheillini, Biofunctionalization of Ulvan Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering, ACS Applied Materials & Interface, 2014, 6 (5) 3211-3218 * corresponding author
17. M. Dash^{^,} M. Ferri^{^}, S. Cometa, E. D. Giglio, L. Sabbatini, F. Chiellini, Preparation and characterization of hybrid nanoparticles based on chitosan and poly(methacryloylglycylglycine), Journal of Nanoparticle Research, 2014 , 16 (5)  2422 ^ Authors’ contributed equally
18. K. Samal, M. Dash, H. A. Declercq, F. Chiellini, X. Wang, E. Chiellini, D. L. Kaplan, Silk/Chitosan Biohybrid Hydrogels and Scaffolds via Green Technology, RSC Advances, 2014, 4 (96) 53547-53556
19. M. Piras, S. Sandreschi, S. P. Malliappan, M. Dash, C. Bartoli et al, Surface decorated poly(ester-ether-urethane)s nanoparticles: A versatile approach towards clinical translation, International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2014, 475 (1-2) 523-535
20. K Samal, M. Dash, P. Dubruel, S. Van Vlierberghe. Smart polymer hydrogels, in Smart polymers and their Applications, Prof. Julio San Roman and Dr. Maria Rosa Aguilar de Armas (Ed.), Woodhead Publisher, 2014, ISBN 0 85709 695 8, 237-270
21. K. Samal, M. Dash, H. A. Declercq, T. Gheysens, J. Dendooven, P. V. D. Voort, R. Cornelissen, P. Dubruel, D. L. Kaplan, Enzymatic Mineralization of Silk Scaffolds, Macromolecular Bioscience, 2014, 14 (7) 991-1003
22. Missinne, S. Beri, M. Dash, S. K. Samal, P. Dubruel, J. Watté, G. Van Steenberge, Curing kinetics of step-index and graded-index single mode polymer self-written waveguides, Optical Materials Express, 2014, 4(7), 1324-1335.
23. K. Samal, M. Dash, F. Chiellini, D. L. Kaplan, E. Chiellini, Silk Microgels Formed by Proteolytic Enzyme Activity, Acta Biomaterialia, 2013, 9(9), 8192-8199
24. Missinne, S. Beri, M. Dash, Erwin Bosman, P. Dubruel, J.Watté , G. Van Steenberge. Self-Written Waveguides for Field-Installable Fiber Connectors, Advanced Photonics 2013, OSA, ISBN 9781557529817, DOI 10.1364/IPRSN.2013.JT3A.7
25. K Samal, M. Dash, S.Van Vlierberghe, D. Kaplan, E. Chiellini, L. Moroni, C.van Blitterswijk, P. Dubruel, Cationic Polymers and their Therapeutic Potential, Chemical Society Reviews. 2012, 41 (21), 7147-7194
26. M. Dash^{^}, M. Ferri^{^}, F.Chiellini, E. Chiellini. Synthesis and Characterization of Semi-interpenetrating Polymer Network Hydrogel Based on Chitosan and Poly(methacryloylglycylglycine). Materials Chemistry and Physics, 2012, 135 (2-3), 1070-1076 ^ Authors’ contributed equally
27. M. Dash, F.Chiellini, R.M Ottenbrite, E. Chiellini. Chitosan – A Versatile Semi-synthetic Polymer in Biomedical Applications. Progress in Polymer Science, 2011, 36 (8), 981-1014. -Among the Most Read articles of Materials Science.
28. F. Chiellini, D. Puppi, M. Dash, Emo Chiellini Biodegradable Polymers for Biomedical Applications in Biodegradable Polymers: Processing, Degradation and Applications, Gary.P.Felton (Ed), Nova Publishers, 2011, ISBN: 978-1-61209-534-9, pp 545-604
29. M. Dash, F.Chiellini, E.G Fernandez, A.M Piras, E. Chiellini. Statistical approach to the spectroscopic determination of the deacetylation degree of chitins and chitosans. Carbohydrate Polymers, 2011, 86 (1), 65-71
30. A. M.Piras, C.Errico, M.Dash, M.Ferri, E.Chiellini, F.Chiellini. Polymeric Nanoparticles for Targeted Release of Conventional and Macromolecular Drugs (preparation and characterization aspects), in NANOPARTICLES, Ramesh S. Chaughule and Raju V. Ramanujan (Ed): From Synthesis to Application. American Scientific Publishers, 2009, 25650 Lewis Way, Stevenson Ranch, California 91381-1439, USA.
31. M. Dash, A.M.Piras, F.Chiellini, Chitosan based beads for controlled release of proteins in Biohydrogels, Rolando Barbucci (Ed.), Springer-Verlag, Milan – Italy, 2009, 111 –120.
32. S.K. Samal, M. Dash, S. Pradhan, B. C. Meikap, T. N. Tiwari, B. Pradhan, Evaluation of Water Quality in Hirakud Reservoir, inPeople’s Empowerment and Sustainable Rural Development: A Technological Approach, U.N. Roy and J.S. Saini (Ed), Rawat Publication, New Delhi, 2009, 282-289.

Patents

1. K. Samal, M. Dash, P. Dubruel, J. Watte, S. Beri, C. Ozdilek, W. Mattheus, D. Verheyden, (2013): Fiber Optic Connector with Fiber End Protection. WIPO Patent Application WO/2014/118225 A1
2. Watte, S. Beri, P. Vits, J. Missinne, J., S.K Samal, M. Dash, G. Van Steenberge, P. Dubruel, (2014): Self-writable Waveguide for Fiber Connectors and Related Methods. WIPO Patent Application WO/2014/161892 A1.
3. K. Samal, M. Dash, P. Dubruel, J. Watte, S. Beri, C. Ozdilek, W. Mattheus, (2013): Fiber Optic Connector with Fiber End Protection. US Serial No.: 61/758,140, M&G Ref.: 02316.3614USP1/TO-00588.
4. Watte, S. Beri, P. Vits, J. Missinne, S.K. Samal, M. Dash, G. Van Steenberge, P. Dubruel, (2013): Self-writable Waveguide for Fiber Connectors and Related Methods. US Serial No.: 61/807596, M&G Ref.: 02316.3610USP1/TO-00622.
5. Watte, S. Beri, P. Vits, J. Missinne, S.K. Samal, M. Dash, G. Van Steenberge, P. Dubruel, (2014): Self-writable Waveguide for Fiber Connectors and Related Methods. US Serial No.: 61/946388, M&G Ref.: 02316.3610USP2/TO-00622.

Research Scholars:

Sasmita Samal, SRF

Pratigyan Dash, SRF

Kananbala Patra, SRF

Gyanendra Prasad Panda, Project Fellow

Kapilash Das, Technician

Alumni:

Dr. Mousumi Sahu, Research Associate

Dr Pruthviraj Bejugam, Research Associate

Project Interns:

Ms Khirabdhi Tanaya Mohanty
Ms Sneha Kumari
Ms Uma PI
Mr Ankit Sharma
Ms Saloni Tripathy
Mr Subham Preetam
Mr Koustav Kundu
Mr Swastik Sanket
Mr Vishwa R
Ms Swagatika Barik
Bijayalaxmi Sethi
Mahakash Sharma
Vishal Natu
Pooja B
Sushree Sharmistha Debjani Sahoo
Subhashree Nahak
Swapnali Behera
Jyotirmayee Sahoo

1. Sanctioned
   

   Sl.no	Title of project	Funding Agency
   1	Exosome encapsulated protein hydrogels targeting Osteoclast activity in Osteoporosis	DBT
   2	A polymer based solution to pest control in rice	BIRAC

   2. Completed

   Sl.no	Title of project	Funding Agency
   1	Bioactive protein with gradient structures for bone tissue engineering	DBT