Topic: Nanoscale Devices for Treatment of Autoimmune and Cardiovascular Diseases

Speaker: Prof. Nicholas a. Peppas

Date: May 29, at 10:00 AM

Venue: The 2nd Lecture Hall, New Main Building

Brief Intro of the Lecture:

Advanced solutions of a number of biomedical engineering problems require that nanotechnology, advanced biomaterials and molecular biology be used in a synergestic way to achieve targeted, effective vehicle for disease treatment. Engineering the moleculardesign of intelligent gels/biomaterials by controlling structure, recognition and specificity is the first step in coordinating and duplicating complex biological and physiological processes. Recent developments in siRNA and protein delivery have been directed towards the preparation of targeted formulations for protein delivery to specific sites, use of environmentally-responsive polymers to achieve pH- or temperature-triggered delivery, usually in modulated mode, and improvement of the behavior of their mucoadhesive behavior and cell recognition. We address design and synthesis characteristics of novel crosslinked networks capable of protein release as well as artificial molecular structures capable of specific molecular recognition of biological molecules. Molecular imprinting and microimprinting techniques, which create stereo-specific three-dimensional binding cavities based on a biological compound of interest can lead to preparation of biomimetic materials for intelligent drug delivery, drug targeting, and tissue engineering. We have been successful in synthesizing novel glucose- and protein-binding molecules based on non-covalent directed interactions formed via molecular imprinting techniques within aqueous media. We have also developed structurally superior materials to serve as effective carriers for siRNA delivery to combat Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis.

School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering