Drug Delivery

The main current theme of our lab is utilizing polymers to deliver drugs, particularly various small molecules, genetically engineered proteins, DNA and RNAi, continuously at controlled rates for prolonged periods of time. Work currently in progress includes: a) investigating the mechanism of release from polymeric delivery systems with concomitant micro-structural analysis and mathematical modeling; b) studying applications of these systems including the development of effective long-term delivery systems for insulin, anti-cancer drugs, growth factors, gene therapy agents and vaccines; c) nanotechnology d) delivery through different routes in the body including the skin, lung, vagina, gi tract, eye, and brain and e) synthesizing new biodegradable polymeric delivery systems which will ultimately be absorbed by the body.

Cell Engineering

In addition to engineering polymers for drug treatments, we also engineer cells for therapeutic purposes. For example, we investigate controlling stem-cell fates including maintaining stemness or getting forward differentiation via modulating its microenvironment. We have also developed several assays for functional isolation of stem cell subpopulation and therapeutic quality control. Furthermore, we are interested in engineering immune cells via genetic tools for treating cancers.

Regenerative Medicine

Regenerative medicine focuses on harnessing the power of adult-derived stem cells and the body’s own regenerative capabilities to restore the function to damaged cells, tissues, and organs. By incorporating PRP we are trying to accelearete healing process in patients suffering from cartilage diseases.