Physics Drives Innovation as Integral Part of K-State Biomanufacturing Initiative

Latest physics hire to contribute to University's interdisciplinary approach

K-State is driving advancements in Kansas biomanufacturing through its 2025 Biomanufacturing Training and Education Initiative. Supported by federal and state funding, the program aims to build a skilled workforce, attract industry partners in biosecurity, biodefense, and biomanufacturing, and strengthen collaborations with institutions like the University of Kansas, NBAF, and private companies. The initiative includes key hires, such as physics professor Buddho Chakrabarti, to build expertise in these areas. The ultimate goal is to provide a talent pipeline and establish K-State as a leader in biomanufacturing and biosecurity.

Driven by scientific curiosity, Buddho’s biophysics research aims to advance fundamental understanding with a long-term vision of translating these discoveries into clinical applications that address pressing health challenges.

As a theoretician working on this initiative, Chakrabarti’s research encompasses several critical areas, including the mechanics of bacterial cell walls for combating antimicrobial resistance, chromosome organization and epigenetic regulation to understand and address human pathologies related to genome packaging, and biological phase separation to investigate membraneless organelles and associated diseases.

Physics department head Tim Bolton comments: “We’re very pleased to boost our research efforts in the physics of living systems. Buddho joins a terrific team here with Bret Flanders, Amit Chakrabarti, and Jeremy Schmit. We particularly look forward to Buddho building on his record of direct collaboration with private industry.”