About

Professor Stefanie A. Sydlik is a member of the Sydlik Group at Carnegie Mellon University. The provided page text does not include specific details about her research focus, background, or key contributions. Therefore, no additional biographical information is available from the given content.

Research topics

• Materials science
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Nanotechnology
• Biomedical engineering
• Biochemistry
• Cell biology
• Composite material
• Engineering
• Medicine
• Biophysics
• Biotechnology

Selected publications

• Tuning adsorption and morphology in poly(glutamic acid) via controlled acidic partial deprotection

  Polymer International · 2026-01-08

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Abstract Synthetic polypeptides prepared from N ‐carboxyanhydride (NCA) monomers are important platforms for environmental and medical applications due to their biomimetic structures which can beleveraged to deliver tunable properties. During synthesis, amino acid side chains are generally protected to prevent undesired side reactions. Following polymerization, full deprotection is typically pursued to expose the largest number of functional groups, with the expectation that greater functional group availability enhances intermolecular interactions and overall performance. While the extent of deprotection is known to impact polypeptide properties, the specific effects of partial deprotection on polypeptide functionality have not received significant attention. Here, we demonstrate that controlled acidic partial deprotection offers a straightforward and reproducible means for adjusting amphiphilicity and assembly in benzyl‐protected poly(glutamic acid) and poly(glutamic acid‐ block ‐tyrosine) polypeptides. Over time, partial acidic deprotection can generate distinct morphologies which either match or outperform fully deprotected analogs. For the poly(glutamic acid) homopolymer, partial deprotection produces a population of ~130 nm assemblies that present more accessible surface area, leading to adsorption that matches that of fully deprotected poly(glutamic acid). These outcomes are repeatable across reactions and reproducible across 100 mg to 3 g scales, indicating that the behavior reflects inherent polymer structuring rather than anomalous effects. In the copolypeptide poly(glutamic acid‐ block ‐tyrosine), maximal drug adsorption similarly occurs at partial deprotection, correlating with the presence of small ~70 nm nanoassemblies which outperform more deprotected samples. These effects appear pH‐dependent, with assemblies forming only when glutamic acid is deprotonated. When protonated, nanoassembly formation is suppressed, and adsorption generally correlates with particle size distribution which is influenced by the degree of deprotection and the resulting balance between hydrophobic association and chain hydration. Together, these results introduce deprotection as a functional design parameter for tuning polypeptide morphology and adsorption, extending the strategies available for controlling structure–property relationships in NCA‐derived polypeptide materials. © 2026 The Author(s). Polymer International published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Adsorption of colchicine, hydroxychloroquine, ibuprofen, and strychnine to activated charcoal

  Clinical Toxicology · 2026-02-23

  articleSenior authorCorresponding

  INTRODUCTION: Activated charcoal is commonly used in the management of xenobiotics to reduce systemic absorption, but data supporting its efficacy for certain xenobiotics remain limited. Quantitative data describing adsorption of colchicine, hydroxychloroquine, ibuprofen, and strychnine help inform emergency treatment options for the management of a xenobiotic ingestion. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the adsorption of colchicine, hydroxychloroquine, ibuprofen, and strychnine to activated charcoal by quantifying adsorption kinetics and fitting isotherm data to characterize binding behavior and xenobiotic-specific effective doses. METHODS: Kinetics and adsorption isotherm experiments were performed in simulated gastric fluid (pH 1.2) and simulated intestinal fluid (pH 6.8). The Langmuir isotherm model was used to estimate maximum adsorption capacity and binding affinity. The Freundlich isotherm model was used to derive relative adsorption capacity and adsorption favorability. Optimal charcoal-to-xenobiotic ratios for ≥95% adsorption were determined for each xenobiotic in both media. RESULTS: simulated intestinal fluid (7:1). Strychnine also required a higher activated charcoal-to-xenobiotic ratio in simulated gastric fluid (11:1) than simulated intestinal fluid (8:1) to achieve ≥95% adsorption. Ibuprofen required an 11:1 ratio to achieve ≥95% adsorption in simulated intestinal fluid. DISCUSSION: A standard 50 g dose of activated charcoal may effectively adsorb toxic doses of colchicine and strychnine. However, large overdoses of hydroxychloroquine and ibuprofen may need additional doses of activated charcoal. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the targeted use of activated charcoal in colchicine, hydroxychloroquine, ibuprofen, and strychnine ingestions. Isotherm modeling reveals xenobiotic-specific differences in adsorption efficiency that may inform clinical decisions regarding dose, timing, and the potential use of additional charcoal administration.

  PublisherDOI

• Methicillin-resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> has phenotypic variation in <i>mecA</i> expression that alters antibiotic sensitivity

  Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy · 2026-02-12

  articleOpen access

  ABSTRACT Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia has a high rate of morbidity and mortality. Multiple clinical studies have demonstrated improved outcomes when MRSA bacteremia is treated with dual antibiotic therapy that includes a β-lactam antibiotic such as cefazolin. This is a paradox as MRSA should be inherently resistant to this class of antibiotics. We report on a serendipitous observation of a phenotype where MRSA became sensitive to cefazolin when cultured in a physiologic relevant media of fetal bovine serum as well as in synovial fluid. This could be observed across multiple clinical isolates. Expected resistance was maintained when cultured in Muller Hinton Broth (MHB). MRSA β-lactam antibiotic resistance is mediated by PBP2a, a penicillin-binding protein encoded by mecA . We hypothesized that this phenotype of antibiotic sensitivity in physiologic medium was based, in part, on levels of PBP2a expression and post-translational modifications of peptidoglycan wall teichoic acid (WTA). We, therefore, conducted quantitative RT-PCR analysis and Western blotting which demonstrated limited mecA expression PBP2a protein level when cultured in FBS as compared to the clinical microbiology standard MHB, respectively. Whole genome sequencing of loss of function mutants generated through serial passaging in FBS revealed that the clp family of proteins and rpo genes were involved in β-lactam resistance. Cell wall peptidoglycan analysis suggested that WTA glycosylation was altered between β-lactam resistant and sensitive MRSA phenotypes. Together, this suggests that clpP , rpoB, and WTA glycosylation are involved with the β-lactam sensitivity phenotype in MRSA and can be new potential targets for MRSA treatment.

  PublisherDOI

• Adsorption of colchicine, hydroxychloroquine, ibuprofen, and strychnine to activated charcoal

  Figshare · 2026-01-01

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Activated charcoal is commonly used in the management of xenobiotics to reduce systemic absorption, but data supporting its efficacy for certain xenobiotics remain limited. Quantitative data describing adsorption of colchicine, hydroxychloroquine, ibuprofen, and strychnine help inform emergency treatment options for the management of a xenobiotic ingestion. To evaluate the adsorption of colchicine, hydroxychloroquine, ibuprofen, and strychnine to activated charcoal by quantifying adsorption kinetics and fitting isotherm data to characterize binding behavior and xenobiotic-specific effective doses. Kinetics and adsorption isotherm experiments were performed in simulated gastric fluid (pH 1.2) and simulated intestinal fluid (pH 6.8). The Langmuir isotherm model was used to estimate maximum adsorption capacity and binding affinity. The Freundlich isotherm model was used to derive relative adsorption capacity and adsorption favorability. Optimal charcoal-to-xenobiotic ratios for ≥95% adsorption were determined for each xenobiotic in both media. Xenobiotics adsorbed efficiently to activated charcoal, with higher adsorption generally observed in simulated intestinal fluid. Freundlich modeling provided better fits across xenobiotics. Colchicine adsorbed efficiently, with an 8:1 ratio of activated charcoal-to-xenobiotic required to achieve ≥95% xenobiotic adsorption across both media. Hydroxychloroquine required a higher ratio to achieve ≥95% adsorption in simulated gastric fluid (10:1) <i>versus</i> simulated intestinal fluid (7:1). Strychnine also required a higher activated charcoal-to-xenobiotic ratio in simulated gastric fluid (11:1) than simulated intestinal fluid (8:1) to achieve ≥95% adsorption. Ibuprofen required an 11:1 ratio to achieve ≥95% adsorption in simulated intestinal fluid. A standard 50 g dose of activated charcoal may effectively adsorb toxic doses of colchicine and strychnine. However, large overdoses of hydroxychloroquine and ibuprofen may need additional doses of activated charcoal. This study supports the targeted use of activated charcoal in colchicine, hydroxychloroquine, ibuprofen, and strychnine ingestions. Isotherm modeling reveals xenobiotic-specific differences in adsorption efficiency that may inform clinical decisions regarding dose, timing, and the potential use of additional charcoal administration.

  PublisherDOI

• Succimer-coated wooden spoons for in situ removal of heavy metals in food

  Food Research International · 2026-04-01

  articleSenior authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• Adsorption of colchicine, hydroxychloroquine, ibuprofen, and strychnine to activated charcoal

  Figshare · 2026-01-01

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Activated charcoal is commonly used in the management of xenobiotics to reduce systemic absorption, but data supporting its efficacy for certain xenobiotics remain limited. Quantitative data describing adsorption of colchicine, hydroxychloroquine, ibuprofen, and strychnine help inform emergency treatment options for the management of a xenobiotic ingestion. To evaluate the adsorption of colchicine, hydroxychloroquine, ibuprofen, and strychnine to activated charcoal by quantifying adsorption kinetics and fitting isotherm data to characterize binding behavior and xenobiotic-specific effective doses. Kinetics and adsorption isotherm experiments were performed in simulated gastric fluid (pH 1.2) and simulated intestinal fluid (pH 6.8). The Langmuir isotherm model was used to estimate maximum adsorption capacity and binding affinity. The Freundlich isotherm model was used to derive relative adsorption capacity and adsorption favorability. Optimal charcoal-to-xenobiotic ratios for ≥95% adsorption were determined for each xenobiotic in both media. Xenobiotics adsorbed efficiently to activated charcoal, with higher adsorption generally observed in simulated intestinal fluid. Freundlich modeling provided better fits across xenobiotics. Colchicine adsorbed efficiently, with an 8:1 ratio of activated charcoal-to-xenobiotic required to achieve ≥95% xenobiotic adsorption across both media. Hydroxychloroquine required a higher ratio to achieve ≥95% adsorption in simulated gastric fluid (10:1) <i>versus</i> simulated intestinal fluid (7:1). Strychnine also required a higher activated charcoal-to-xenobiotic ratio in simulated gastric fluid (11:1) than simulated intestinal fluid (8:1) to achieve ≥95% adsorption. Ibuprofen required an 11:1 ratio to achieve ≥95% adsorption in simulated intestinal fluid. A standard 50 g dose of activated charcoal may effectively adsorb toxic doses of colchicine and strychnine. However, large overdoses of hydroxychloroquine and ibuprofen may need additional doses of activated charcoal. This study supports the targeted use of activated charcoal in colchicine, hydroxychloroquine, ibuprofen, and strychnine ingestions. Isotherm modeling reveals xenobiotic-specific differences in adsorption efficiency that may inform clinical decisions regarding dose, timing, and the potential use of additional charcoal administration.

  PublisherDOI

• Adsorption of antidepressant and cardiovascular drugs to activated charcoal: amitriptyline, bupropion, minoxidil, propranolol, and venlafaxine

  Clinical Toxicology · 2025-08-12 · 2 citations

  articleSenior authorCorresponding

  BACKGROUND: Overdoses involving antidepressant and cardiovascular drugs account for 21.9% of non-opioid overdose-related fatalities in the United States. Activated charcoal is commonly used for gastrointestinal decontamination, but data regarding its adsorption efficacy for several clinically relevant drugs remain limited. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the adsorption of amitriptyline, bupropion, minoxidil, propranolol, and venlafaxine to activated charcoal by fitting adsorption isotherm data. METHODS: Kinetics and adsorption isotherm experiments were conducted using simulated gastric fluid (pH 1.2) and simulated intestinal fluid (pH 6.8). Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm equations were fitted to experimental data to model adsorption behavior. Drug-specific activated charcoal-to-drug ratios required to achieve ≥95% adsorption were identified. RESULTS: All five drugs were adsorbed effectively to activated charcoal although adsorption efficiencies varied by pH. Maximal adsorption capacities of all drugs were higher in simulated intestinal fluid compared to simulated gastric fluid. In simulated intestinal fluid, ≥95% of bupropion was adsorbed at a 10:1 activated charcoal-to-drug ratio, while this level was not reached in simulated gastric fluid even at a 12:1 ratio. Amitriptyline and propranolol reached ≥95% adsorption at ratios below 10:1. Venlafaxine and minoxidil required higher ratios of activated charcoal ratios to reach maximal adsorption. Activated charcoal had a higher drug-binding capacity in simulated intestinal fluid, but binding was stronger in simulated gastric fluid. Bupropion was adsorbed more in simulated intestinal fluid overall, though efficiency decreased at higher concentrations. DISCUSSION: A single 50 g dose of activated charcoal at 10:1 ratio may be inadequate for clinically significant overdoses of bupropion, minoxidil, and venlafaxine, especially for immediate release bupropion for which gastric adsorption may be important. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the use of activated charcoal for gastrointestinal decontamination in overdoses involving amitriptyline, bupropion, minoxidil, propranolol, and venlafaxine. However, drug-specific differences in adsorption behavior suggest a need for refined dosing strategies, particularly in cases involving drugs with lower binding efficiencies.

  PublisherDOI

• The Mitsunobu reaction for the gentle covalent attachment of biomolecules to graphene oxide

  Carbon · 2025-03-19 · 1 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Graphene oxide (GO) has emerged as a promising biomaterial as it is easily and cheaply synthesized, strong, cytocompatible, osteoinductive, and has a well-characterized aqueous degradation pathway. It is also a great substrate for functionalization with biomolecules such as proteins, peptides, and small molecules that can enhance or add bioactivity. Covalent chemical linkages as opposed to typical noncovalent association methods are preferable so that the biomolecules do not quickly diffuse away or face replacement by other proteins, which is critical in long time scale applications like bone regeneration. However, covalent chemistry tends to carry a drawback of harsh reaction conditions that can damage the structure, conformation, and therefore function of a delicate biomolecule like a protein. Here, the Mitsunobu reaction is introduced as a novel method of covalently attaching proteins to graphene oxide. It features gentle reaction conditions and has the added benefit of utilizing the plentiful basal plane alcohol functionalities on graphene oxide, allowing for high yield protein functionalization. The amino acid Glycine (G), the protein bovine serum albumin (BSA), and the small molecule SVAK-12 are utilized to create the three Mitsunobu Graphene (MG) materials G-MG, BSA-MG, and SVAK-MG that demonstrate the wide applicability of this functionalization method.

  PublisherDOI

• The Role and Future of Functional Graphenic Materials in Biomedical and Human Health Applications

  Biomacromolecules · 2025-03-18 · 7 citations

  reviewOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Functional graphenic materials (FGMs) are materials derived from graphene oxide (GO) that hold a plethora of applications from electronics to nanomedicine. In this Perspective, we examine the history and evolution of biomedical applications of this carbon-based macromolecule. Following the carbon nanotube (CNT) movement, GO and FGMs became nanocarbons of interest because of their low cost and versatile functionality. The tunable chemistry enabled our work on FGMs coupled with biomacromolecules and allows FGMs to plays an important role in many biomedical applications, from tissue regeneration to controlled delivery. As we work to develop this material, it is critical to consider toxicity implications─in fresh materials as well as in degradation products. With this understanding, FGMs also hold potential roles in human health and environmental sustainability, making FGMs an important contemporary biomacromolecule.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Author response for "Polyurethane-grafted graphene oxide from repurposed foam mattress waste"

  2025-01-01

  peer-reviewSenior author
  PublisherDOI

Recent grants

• An injectable block copolymer synthetic cartilage

  NIH · $52k · 2014–2016

• Claisen and Mitsunobu functional graphenic materials as stem cell instructive 3D printed scaffolds for bone regeneration

  NSF · $625k · 2019–2024

Frequent coauthors

• Timothy M. Swager

  Massachusetts Institute of Technology

  33 shared

• Anne M. Arnold

  Carnegie Mellon University

  19 shared

• Brian D. Holt

  Carnegie Mellon University

  16 shared

• Karoline E. Eckhart

  Carnegie Mellon University

  9 shared

• Zoe M. Wright

  University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

  9 shared

• Helinando Pequeno de Oliveira

  8 shared

• Joseph J. Walish

  8 shared

• Cato T. Laurencin

  California Institute for Regenerative Medicine

  7 shared

Labs

• The Sydlik GroupPI

  Not provided

Education

• Ph.D., Organic Chemistry

  Massachusetts Institute of Technology

  2012

Awards & honors

• Humboldt Research Fellowship (2024)
• Moore Inventor Fellow (2022)
• Tartans on the Rise (Inaugural class) (2022)
• World Economic Forum Young Scientist (2020)
• ACS PMSE Young Investigator Award (2018)