Won Laboratory specializes in fundamental polymer science and conducting preclinical proof-of-concept research, with a strong focus on clinical applications of polymeric nanomaterials.

From the mid-2000s to the mid-2010s, the lab’s research primarily revolved around polyelectrolytes, particularly focusing on the charge regulation of weak polyelectrolytes and their uses in gene/siRNA delivery and the manipulation of charged colloids. Won Lab was one of the pioneers in introducing the concept of 'micelleplexes'.

Since the mid-2010s, Won Laboratory has shifted its focus toward projects with a more direct societal impact, while continuing to tackle fundamental scientific challenges. The lab’s current research spans three key areas:

1. Air-water interfacial behavior of block copolymer micelles: Aiming to develop Polymer Lung Surfactant (PLS) therapy as a treatment for respiratory distress syndrome.

2. Radioluminescence Therapy: Advancing proof-of-concept studies for block copolymer-encapsulated radioluminescent nanoparticle formulations designed to enhance the efficacy of cancer radiotherapy.

3. Statistically sequence-controlled aliphatic copolyesters: Investigating materials like uniform poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) to develop next-generation long-acting controlled-release drug formulations.

These research areas highlight Won Lab’s dedication to addressing real-world challenges through cutting-edge scientific advancements, with credit due to the efforts of both current and past group members.

For a complete list of our journal publications, book chapters, and patents, please refer to:
https://engineering.purdue.edu/~yywon
https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=xrm0ATF9pvUC&pagesize=80&view_op=list_works&sortby=pubdate.

Joseph B. Mayer, Samruddhi M. Patil, Sung-Ho Shin, Jin Yoo, You-Yeon Won, “Internal Water-Induced Acceleration, Chemical Pathways, and Contributing Factors in the Degradation of Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) Microparticles and Devices”, ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering 11(7), 3932-3948, 2025 (DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.5c00419).

Taesuk Jun, Sung-Ho Shin, You-Yeon Won, “Engineered Polymeric Excipients for Enhancing the Stability of Protein Biologics: Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-poly(ethylene glycol) (PNIPAM-PEG) Block Copolymers”, International Journal of Pharmaceutics 664, 124636, 2024 (DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2024.124636).

SeongHoon Jo, Soonjong Roh, Jaemin Shim, Jiwoong Yu, Youngmee Jung, Woo Young Jang, Bumjoon Seo, You-Yeon Won, Jin Yoo, “Modulating Thermo-Responsive Characteristics of PLGA-PEG-PLGA Hydrogels via Manipulation of PLGA Monomer Sequences”, Biomacromolecules 25(8), 5374-5386, 2024 (DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.4c00817).

Seong Hwan Kim, Yoon Huh, Baek Sung Park, Kevin Injoe Jung, You-Yeon Won, Joona Bang, Hyun Wook Jung, “Tuning Coffee-Ring Patterns of Sessile Suspension Droplets via Encapsulation of Silica Particles with Thermo-Responsive Block Copolymers”, Chemical Engineering Journal 494, 152929, 2024 (DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2024.152929).

Samruddhi M. Patil, You-Yeon Won, “Effect of Monomer Sequence Distribution on the Glass Transition Temperature of Poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)”, Macromolecules 57(10), 4947-4962, 2024 (DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.4c00106).

Taesuk Jun, Daniel J. Fesenmeier, You-Yeon Won, “Surface Mechanical Behavior of Water-Spread Poly(styrene)-Poly(ethylene glycol) (PS-PEG) Cylindrical Micelles at the Air-Water Interface”, ACS Applied Polymer Materials 6(4), 2054-2060, 2024 (DOI: 10.1021/acs.acsapm.4c00109).

Daniel J. Fesenmeier, Elliot S. Cooper, You-Yeon Won, “Overcoming Limitations of Conventional Solvent Exchange Methods: Achieving Monodisperse Non-Equilibrium Polymer Micelles through Equilibration-Nanoprecipitation (ENP)”, Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 661, 861-869, 2024 (DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.01.167).

Dhushyanth Viswanath, Jeehun Park, Vincenzo J. Pizzuti, Rahul Misra, Sung-Ho Shin, Junsang Doh, You-Yeon Won, “Nanotechnology-Enhanced Radiotherapy and the Abscopal Effect: Current Status and Challenges of Nanomaterial-Based Radioimmunotherapy”, Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews – Nanomedicine and Nanotechnology 16(1), e1924, 2024 (DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1924).

Daniel J. Fesenmeier, Hyun Chang Kim, Seyoung Kim, You-Yeon Won, “Determination of Block Copolymer Micelle Core Tg Using 1H NMR Transverse (T2) Relaxation Measurements of Micelle Coronas”, Macromolecules 56(22), 9156-9163, 2023 (DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.3c01486).

Daniel J. Fesenmeier, Seyoung Kim, You-Yeon Won, “Effect of Temperature on the Air-Water Surface Mechanical Behavior of Water-Spread Block Copolymer Micelles”, Soft Matter 19, 9269-9281, 2023 (DOI: 10.1039/D3SM01003A).