College of Science and Health > Faculty & Staff > Faculty A-Z > Charles Rubert Perez

Charles Rubert Perez

Classes Taught
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Medicinal Chemistry
  • Biochemical Nutrition
  • Masters-level Material Science
Research Interests
Current research in the Rubert lab centers on the synthesis of peptides and small molecules that can self-assemble into supramolecular nanostructures. Our primary approach involves the rational design of peptides and small molecules with specific sequences and moieties that enable self-interaction through various noncovalent interactions, such as salt bridges, hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic collapse, aromatic interactions, and metal chelation, in both aqueous and organic environments. These cumulative interactions between monomers can spontaneously drive the self-assembly process, leading to the formation of diverse nanomaterials, including fibers, capsules, ribbons, tubes, and sheets, among others. These nanomaterials hold potential for applications in regenerative medicine, drug delivery, analyte detection, catalysis, and electronics.
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 Selected Publications
  • Gonzalez, K. Decker, A. Seng, I. Uribe, C.M. Rubert Pérez, “Self-assembly of FRV3FR peptide into supramolecular nanofibrils”. Mat. Lett. 2024 367, 136655.
  • K. Decker, A. Gould, P. Labedz, J. Rederer, G. Griffin, S. Kewalramani, C.M. Rubert Pérez, “Metal-triggered disassembly of Naph-Ahx-His Supramolecular Nanoribbons”. Mater. Today Chem. 2023 33, 101736.
  • Gould, C.M. Rubert Pérez, “Synthesis of a Bipyridine Ligand for Metal-Triggered Supramolecular Polymers” DePaul Discoveries. 2018, 7(1), Article 6.
  • M.M. So, N.A. Mansukhani, E.B. Peters, M.S. Albaghdadi, Z. Wang, C.M. Rubert Pérez, M.R. Kibbe, S.I. Stupp, "Peptide Amphiphile Nanostructures for Targeting of Atherosclerotic Plaque and Drug Delivery." Adv. Biosystems 2018, 2(3), pii.
  • C.M. Rubert Pérez, Z. Álvarez, F. Chen, T. Aytun, S.I. Stupp, "Mimicking the Bioactivity of Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 Using Supramolecular Nanoribbons" ACS Biomater. Sci. Eng., 2017, 3, 2166-2175.
  • E. Pazos, E. Sleep, C.M. Rubert Pérez, S. Lee, F. Tantakitti, S. Stupp, "Direct Nucleation and Growth of Highly Ordered Silver Nano-particles on Peptide Nanofibers. New Superstructures with Antimicrobial Properties" J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2016, 138, 5507-5510.
  • C.M. Rubert Pérez, N. Stephanopoulos, S. Sur, S. Lee, C. Newcomb, S. Stupp, "The Powerful Functions of Peptide-based Bioactive Matrices for Regenerative Medicine" Annals of Biomed. Eng., 2014, 43, 501-514.
  • C.M. Rubert Pérez, L. A. Rank, J. Chmielewski, "Tuning the Thermosensitive Properties of Hybrid Collagen Peptide-Polymer Hydrogels" Chem. Comm., 2014, 50, 8174-8176.
  • J. Boekhoven, C.M. Rubert Pérez, S. Sur, A. Worthy, S.I. Stupp. "Dynamic Display of Bioactivity through Host-Guest Chemistry" Angew. Chemie., 2013, 52, 12077-12080.
  • D.E. Przybyla, C.M. Rubert Pérez, J. Gleaton, V. Nandwana, J. Chmielewski, "Hierarchical Assembly of Collagen Peptide Triple Helices into Curved Disks and Metal Ion-promoted Hollow Spheres" J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2013, 135, 3418-3422.
  • C.M. Rubert Pérez, D. Lopez-Pérez, J. Chmielewski, M. Lipton, "Small Molecule Oligomerization Inhibitors of Anthrax Protective Antigen" Chem. Biol. Drug. Des., 2012, 79, 260-269.
  • C.M. Rubert Pérez, A. Panitch, J. Chmielewski, "A Collagen Peptide-based Physical Hydrogel for Cell Encapsulation." Macromol. Biosci., 2011, 11, 1426-1431.
Professional Society Memberships
  • American Chemical Society
  • American Peptide Society