Theranostic Nanomedicine Section
Contents
Research Interests
Theranostic Nanomedicine is the medical application of nanobiotechnology and refers
to highly specific medical intervention at the nanoscale for diagnosing, curing
or preventing diseases. Theranostic Nanomedicine involves the creation and application
of nanobiomaterials and devices at the level of molecules for personalized therapy.
Our current research focuses on multi-disciplinary research to build new systems
for various nanobiomedical applications ranging from the medical use of nanoplatform-based
diagnostic agents, to therapeutic agents, and even possible future applications
of theranostics (diagnosis + therapy). By integration of state-of-the-art molecular
imaging and nanomedicine with peptide/protein chemistry, polymer/inorganic chemistry,
nanobioconjugation chemistry, cell/molecular biology as well as clinical medicine;
we are developing future nanoplatforms which enable i) early detection of diseases,
ii) monitoring therapeutic response, and iii) targeted delivery of therapeutic agents.
Its improved practical potency highlights its potential as new personalized strategies
to help improve patient management and outcomes in the near future.
NanoProbes
Recent interdisciplinary research that couples the molecular imaging science with
nanotechnology has generated novel NanoProbes that exhibit high sensitivity and
ultra-low background noise in both in vitro and in vivo applications. We are developing
various highly-sensitive NanoProbes which can be utilized for imaging biological
processes (including but not limited to protein expressions, apoptosis, and angiogenesis),
cell tracking, early diagnosis, and monitoring of therapeutic efficacy.
NanoCarriers
The purpose of this research is to develop a new therapeutic system based on the
nano-hybrid biomolecules. We are developing non-toxic and targeted drug delivery
systems that carry and stabilize various therapeutic agents. Small molecules, engineered
therapeutic peptides/proteins, and siRNA/miRNAs will be formulated with unique NanoCarriers
by sophisticated nanobioconjugation and encapsulation methods to maximize therapeutic
efficacy.
NanoDiagnostics
The present study aims at developing ultrasensitive, simple and cost-effective high-throughput
method for screening and early detection of biomarkers using combined nanoplatform
and molecular imaging technologies. Our system is expected to boost the sensitivity
of conventional ELISA technology and facilitate the detection of low-abundance biomarkers
from biological samples.
Theranostic NanoFormulations
Theranostic agents developed based on ‘whole in one approach’ will show
great promise in the emerging field of personalized medicine, because they allow
detection as well as monitoring of an individual patient’s cancer at an early-stage,
and delivering anticancer agents over an extended period for enhanced therapeutic
efficacy. With the help of nanoplatform technology, we’ll introduce a novel
concept for creating cancer theranostic systems. We are developing sophisticated
multifunctional theranostic agents that not only carry and deliver gene therapeutics
and chemotherapeutics but also provide real-time imaging of therapy response in
vivo. If successful, the proof-of-concept will allow for widespread preclinical
and clinical applications of theranostics in cancer, cardiovascular and immune diseases.
Staff
Seulki Lee,
Ph.D.
Group Leader, Theranostic Nanomedicine Section
Telephone: 301-402-3427
Ashwinkumar
Bhirde, Ph.D.
NIH/NIST Fellow
Telephone: 301-594-4915
Xinglu
Huang, Ph.D.
Visiting Fellow
Telephone: 301-402-2711
Fan Zhang,
Ph.D.
Visiting Fellow
Telephone: 301-402-2574
Ruijun Xing,
B.S.
Visiting Predoctoral Fellow
Telephone: 301-451-3994
Maggie
Swierczewska, M.S.
Graduate Student
Telephone: 301-402-4486
Shouhui Chen,
M.S.
Visiting Predoctoral Fellow
Telephone: 301-594-0310
Ki Young
Choi, Ph.D.
Visiting Fellow
Telephone: 301-496-1620
Shouju Wang,
B.S.
Predoctoral Visiting Fellow
Telephone: 301-452-2574
Last Updated On 12/07/2011