SBE's James E. Bailey Award Lecture

This award is sponsored by the Society for Biological Engineering.

The Society for Biological Engineering's Bailey award recognizes outstanding contributions in the field of biological engineering. In memory of Professor James Bailey for his many pioneering contributions to biotechnology, this award is presented to an individual who has had an important impact on biological engineering and whose achievements have advanced the profession.

James Bailey's educational legacy touched many modern biochemical and biological engineers in the profession today. The award is presented to an individual who embodies the spirit of James Bailey, one that is a pioneer, a mentor, an innovator, an integrator of biology and engineering, a teacher, and whose achievements have provided a major impact to the field of biological engineering.

We are pleased to announce Jonathan Dordick, Institute Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), is the recipient of the 2022 James E. Bailey Award.

Exploiting Viruses that Kill and Killing Viruses that Exploit: Some Sweet Science

Jonathan Dordick, Institute Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Nature has provided us with a blueprint to overcome gaps in our biomedical arsenal, whether for sensing, actuating or providing therapeutic advances. Nowhere is this more evident than in nature’s most abundant “life” forms – viruses, including bacteriophages. We have exploited various molecular machines in bacteriophages to sense and/or kill human pathogens, thereby providing new routes to biosensors, therapeutics and disinfectants. The modularity of biological macromolecules drives biological evolution, enables new functions to emerge, and improves existing functions. Unfortunately, viruses often exploit us, as we are now all too aware given SARS-CoV-2 and the tragic loss of life and economic destruction caused by COVID-19. We have once again turned to nature’s vast arsenal of biomolecules to target viruses, including coronaviruses, among other human pathogens. This includes the use of the anticoagulant heparin, which possesses extraordinary binding to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, and heparin/heparan sulfate analogs and other functional polysaccharides that possess exceptional binding without anticoagulation. In this manner, we have uncovered an Achilles heel of many viral pathogens and identify new routes to bring them under control. We have taken cues from nature to design biological molecules and endow them with unique structural and functional properties. The resulting biomolecular designs enable new uses for functional biomolecules, as well as new bioprocess technologies.

Biotechnology Progress Award for Excellence in Biological Engineering Publication

The Biotechnology Progress Award for Excellence in Biological Engineering Publication winner will also be recognized during the James E. Bailey Award session.

The 2022 recipient is Ali Khademhosseini, CEO and Founding Director, Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation. 

The Biotechnology Progress Award for Excellence in Biological Engineering Publication recognizes outstanding contributions to the literature in biomedical engineering, biological engineering, biotechnology, biochemical engineering and related fields. The award, which is presented annually at the AIChE Annual Meeting, celebrates excellence and foundational contributions to biotechnology and biological engineering through a body of work: a seminal paper, a review, a research report, or other material of significant interest and importance.