François Baneyx

Education

• Ph.D., University of Texas (Austin), 1991
• Ingénieur, E.N.S.I.G.C., Toulouse (France), 1987

Previous appointments

• Department Chair, UW Department of Chemical Engineering, 2014-2018
• Director, UW Center for Nanotechnology, 2005-2013
• Site Director, NSF National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network, 2004-2012
• Postdoctoral Fellow, Du Pont (Wilmington), 1991

Research Statement

Research in the Baneyx laboratory lies at the confluence of synthetic biology, nanotechnology, molecular engineering and materials science. We are a lead lab in CSSAS, the Center for the Science of Synthesis Across Scales, an Energy Frontier Research Center (EFRC) directed by Prof. Baneyx that brings together investigators from six universities and one national laboratory.

Inspired by nature’s ability to fabricate materials with outstanding transport, optical, and magnetic properties, we seek to develop a predictive understanding of the rules that underpin the interaction of solid-binding peptides with inorganic and synthetic interfaces. We genetically install these peptides within the framework of rationally or de novo designed proteins, combining biological function with the adhesive and morphogenetic properties of the guest sequences. We use the resulting solid-binding proteins to mineralize, assemble, actuate and reconfigure hybrid and hierarchical materials and devices, powering applications that range from nanomedicine to bionanoelectronics and catalysis.

Select publications

1. Lin, Z. and F. Baneyx. 2026. Leveraging hydration forces for size-specific nanoparticle enrichment with a redox-responsive silica-binding elastin-like polypeptide. ACS Nano 20:1814-1825.
2. Wixson, W.C., N.Y. Naser, A. Sonpa, J. Pfaendtner and F. Baneyx. 2026. Exploiting the morphological transitions of a coacervating protein template for silicification across scales. Soft Matter 22:398-410
3. Cai, Y., W. Idso, W.C. Wixson, N.Y. Naser, Z. Lin and F. Baneyx. 2025. Steric modulation of protein-mediated nanoparticle assembly: controlling cluster size, polydispersity and FRET responses. Small 21:2503026
4. Naser, N.Y., W.C. Wixson, H. Larson, B.M. Cossairt, L.D. Pozzo and F. Baneyx. 2025. Biomimetic mineralization of positively charged silica nanoparticles templated by thermoresponsive protein micelles: Applications to electrostatic assembly of hierarchical and composite superstructures. Soft Matter 21:166-178
5. Cai, Y., N.Y. Naser, J. Ma and F. Baneyx. 2024. Precision loading and delivery of molecular cargo by size-controlled coacervation of gold nanoparticles functionalized with elastin-like peptides. Biomacromolecules 25:2390-2398.
6. Cai, Y., X. Qi, J. Boese, Y. Zhao, B. Hellner, J. Chun, C.J. Mundy and F. Baneyx. 2024. Towards predictive control of reversible nanoparticle assembly with solid-binding proteins. Soft Matter 20:1935-1942.
7. Ma, J., B. Jin, K.N. Guye, M.E. Chowdhury, C.L. Chen, J.J. De Yoreo and F. Baneyx. 2023. Controlling biomineralization with protein-functionalized peptoid nanotubes. Adv. Mater. 35:2207543.

Honors & awards

• Elected to the Washington State Academy of Sciences, 2016
• Elected Fellow, American Academy of Microbiology (AAM), 2015
• Elected Fellow, American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE), 2015
• Elected Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), 2013
• UW College of Engineering Faculty Innovator Award: Research, 2010
• Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Grand Challenge Exploration Award, 2008

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