Experience and Education

• Department Chair, Chemical Engineering, 2021-Present
• Professor, Chemical Engineering, University of South Carolina, 2017-Present
• Interim Department Chair, Chemical Engineering, 2019-2021
• Program Director, Biomedical Engineering, 2014-2021
• Associate Professor, Chemical Engineering, University of South Carolina, 2010-2016
• Assistant Professor, Chemical Engineering, University of South Carolina, 2004-2010
• Postdoctoral Associate, Mayo Clinic School of Medicine, 2000-2004
• Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, University of Kentucky, 2000
• B.S., Chemical Engineering, University of Kentucky, 1995

Research

Professor Moss’s research focuses on the involvement of protein aggregation in Alzheimer’s disease. One hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease is the senile plaques that accumulate in the brain where they are associated with neuronal loss and in the cerebrovasculature where they may perpetuate stoke. These plaques are composed primarily of the amyloid β-protein (Aβ). Aβ aggregates into fibrils that deposit to yield plaques. Consequently, inhibition of Aβ aggregation has emerged as one therapeutic approach for Alzheimer’s disease.

The focus of our research is to understand this aggregation process and to identify and characterize inhibitors that attenuate Aβ aggregation. We utilize a myriad of biophysical techniques including chromatography, fluorescence spectroscopy, static and dynamic light scattering, Western blotting, dot blotting, electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. Furthermore, we seek to determine how various Aβ aggregation products affect both neuronal and vascular cells. In particular, we are interested in Ab stimulation of neuronal apoptosis and endothelial inflammatory responses, including NF-kB activation. Correlating changes in Ab aggregation with cellular effects will assist research efforts to design effective therapeutic agents for Alzheimer’s disease therapy.

Selected Publications

1. B. Lenhart, X. Wei, B. Watson, X. Wang, Z. Zhang, C. Li, M. Moss, C. Liu (2021) In vitro biosensing of beta‑amyloid peptide aggregation dynamics using a biological nanopore. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, In Press.

2. J. Gao, C. Suo, J.-H. Tseng, M. A. Moss, A. V. Terry, J. Chapman (2021) Design and synthesis of ranitidine analogs as multi-target directed ligands for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Int J Mol Sci, 22(6): 3120.

3. N. P. van der Munnik, M. A. Moss, and M. J. Uline (2019) Obstacles to translating the promise of nanoparticles into viable amyloid disease therapeutics. Physical Biology, 16(2): 021002.

4. N. P. van der Munnik, M. S. J. Sajib, M. A. Moss, T. Wei, and M. J. Uline (2018) Determining the potential of mean force for amyloid-β dimerization: Combining self-consistent field theory with molecular dynamics simulation. Journal of Chemical Theory and Computation, 14(5): 2696-2704.

5. L. M. Wolf, S. L. Servoss, and M. A. Moss (2017) Peptoids: Emerging therapeutics for neurodegeneration. Journal of Neurology and Neuromedicine, 2(7): 1-5.

6. K. A. Moore, K. Pate, D. D. Soto-Ortega, S. Lohse, N. van der Munnik, M. Lim, K. S. Jackson, V. D. Lyles, L. Jones, N. Glassgow, V. M. Napumecheno, S. Mobley, M. J. Uline, R. Mahtab, C. J. Murphy, and M. A. Moss (2017) Influence of gold nanoparticle surface chemistry and diameter upon Alzheimer’s disease amyloid-β protein aggregation.  Journal of Biological Engineering, 11:5.

7. K. M. Pate, M. Rogers, J. W. Reed, N. P van der Munik, S. Z. Vance, M. A. Moss (2017) Anthoxanthin polyphenols attenuate Aβ oligomer-induced neuronal responses associated with Alzheimer’s disease. CNS Neuroscience and Therapeutics, 23: 135-144.

Teaching

BMEN 391 – Kinetics in Biomolecular Systems
BMEN 354 – Biotransport
BMEN 392 – Fundamentals of Biochemical Engineering
BMEN 720 – Biological Transport Phenomena
BMEN 303 – Professional Development and Ethics III

Honors and Awards

Michael J. Mungo Undergraduate Teaching Award, Univ. of South Carolina, 2021
Samuel Litman Distinguished Professor Award, College of Engineering and Computing, Univ South Carolina, 2019
Ada B. Thomas Outstanding Faculty Advisor, Univ South Carolina, 2015
Joe and Neva Gibbons Distinguished Teaching Award, Dept Chemical Engineering, Univ South Carolina, 2015-2017
Biedenbach Service Award, College of Engineering and Computing, 2013
Governor’s Young Scientist Award for Excellence in Scientific Research, South Carolina Academy of Science, 2012
Distinguished Undergraduate Research Mentor Award, 2011
Rising Star Award, 2010
Excellence in Teaching Award, University of South Carolina Mortar Board Society, 2007