Rice University
Department of Bioengineering
Department of Bioengineering
| Copyright 2006 Suh Lab |
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Laboratory for
Nanotherapeutics Research
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Delivery of genes to target cells in specific tissues, or Gene Therapy, has the potential to
prevent, treat, or even reverse disorders ranging from cancer to HIV/AIDS. Gene Therapy
also has many potential applications in Tissue Engineering/Regenerative Medicine
where the controlled differentiation of stem cells may be necessary to obtain highly
organized tissue structures.
Gene Therapy is inherently dependent on Gene Delivery, the way in which the genes are
ultimately transported to the nucleus of target cells. Complex biological environments,
such as the extracellular environment and the cell cytoplasm, may pose significant
barriers to efficient therapeutic gene delivery.
Synthetic polymer-based gene delivering nanotherapeutics have several advantages
over viral systems, such as less immunogenicity and ability to carry larger cargo DNA;
however, they suffer from significantly lower gene delivery efficiencies and often transfect
cells nonspecifically. In addition, the nanoscale features of nonviral gene delivery
systems are often difficult to control. Virus-based therapeutics, on the other hand, have
highly defined structures that can be manipulated very specifically through genetic
engineering.
prevent, treat, or even reverse disorders ranging from cancer to HIV/AIDS. Gene Therapy
also has many potential applications in Tissue Engineering/Regenerative Medicine
where the controlled differentiation of stem cells may be necessary to obtain highly
organized tissue structures.
Gene Therapy is inherently dependent on Gene Delivery, the way in which the genes are
ultimately transported to the nucleus of target cells. Complex biological environments,
such as the extracellular environment and the cell cytoplasm, may pose significant
barriers to efficient therapeutic gene delivery.
Synthetic polymer-based gene delivering nanotherapeutics have several advantages
over viral systems, such as less immunogenicity and ability to carry larger cargo DNA;
however, they suffer from significantly lower gene delivery efficiencies and often transfect
cells nonspecifically. In addition, the nanoscale features of nonviral gene delivery
systems are often difficult to control. Virus-based therapeutics, on the other hand, have
highly defined structures that can be manipulated very specifically through genetic
engineering.
Using quantitative fluorescence
microscopy approaches, we seek to
identify rate-limiting steps to the efficient
delivery of nanotherapeutics. The
biophysical interactions of nanodevices
and the biological environment (e.g.
blood, extracellular matrix, and
cytoplasm) are being investigated.
microscopy approaches, we seek to
identify rate-limiting steps to the efficient
delivery of nanotherapeutics. The
biophysical interactions of nanodevices
and the biological environment (e.g.
blood, extracellular matrix, and
cytoplasm) are being investigated.
Our ultimate goal is to translate our
nanotherapeutics research into the clinic
by applying our platform technologies to
clinically important diseases. As
Bioengineers at Rice University, we are
dedicated to narrowing the gap between
bench research and clinical reality.
nanotherapeutics research into the clinic
by applying our platform technologies to
clinically important diseases. As
Bioengineers at Rice University, we are
dedicated to narrowing the gap between
bench research and clinical reality.
We strive to use a creative combination of
synthetic chemistry and recombinant DNA
technology to design novel nanodevices
for the delivery of diagnostics and
therapeutics. Our research is focused on
interlacing the critical properties of viral
vectors with those of nonviral vectors to
engineer nanotherapeutics with high
efficiency but minimal immunogenicity.
synthetic chemistry and recombinant DNA
technology to design novel nanodevices
for the delivery of diagnostics and
therapeutics. Our research is focused on
interlacing the critical properties of viral
vectors with those of nonviral vectors to
engineer nanotherapeutics with high
efficiency but minimal immunogenicity.
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To overcome the significant hurdles to efficient design and delivery of nanotherapeutics,
our research interests are threefold:
our research interests are threefold:
Our Research
page last updated 1/10/07