Cristina Hirschbiegel (Rotello group): Bioorthogonal catalysis enables the targeted activation of therapeutic agents at specific disease sites, such as areas affected by cancer, bacterial infections, or inflammation. Transition metal catalysts (TMCs) can initiate these bioorthogonal reactions in a way that natural enzymes in the body cannot. However, in water-based environments, TMCs face challenges like poor solubility, instability, toxicity, and reduced effectiveness. Encapsulating TMCs within nanomaterial scaffolds helps to address these issues, forming bioorthogonal 'nanozymes' that function as artificial enzymes to enhance the stability and efficiency of the catalysts. Various materials, such as nanoparticles or specialized polymers, can serve as scaffolds. In particular, polymers that self-assemble in water mimic the structure and function of natural enzymes. My research focuses on understanding the factors that determine the effectiveness of polymer-based nanozymes to design improved nanozymes for cancer treatment and bacterial infection control.