Research Projects

In our research program we develop small molecules, peptides and peptidomimetics for a number of exciting applications, some of which are summarized below:

1. Drug Discovery: Research in drug discovery centers on the identification of biologically active agents through either a rational design approach or from compound library screening and optimization. Current targets in this area are the protein-protein interactions of pathogenic bacteria and viruses, and the human ABC transporter P-glycoprotein – a membrane bound protein that is responsible for multidrug resistance in cancer and limits the penetration of a wide range of therapies into the brain. Using these strategies we have identified potent anti-anthrax agents and have demonstrated complete reversal of cellular drug resistance of important anti-cancer therapies, such as taxol.
   
2. BioNanotechnology Our: Our research efforts in bionanotechnology focus on the development of materials for range of biological applications, such as wound healing, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Projects include designer collagen peptides that self assemble into well-ordered nano and microscale structures. Strategically placed signals within the collagen peptides drive the assembly, producing unique and highly reproducible assemblies - including micron-sized spheres, fibers, meshes and disks - with no additional manipulation of the material. Additional binding sites within and on the surface of the collagen materials are harnessed for inclusion of bioactive molecules, including growth factors and cell adhesion agents, and these materials display excellent cell binding and encapsulation, demonstrating the greatly enhanced biological roles of this synthetic collagen. Other projects include the use of gold nanoparticles for biopolymer recognition, assembly and ligation, and self-replicating peptides with a coiled-coil or collagen triple helix structure that are subject to environmental control.
   
3. Cellular Delivery of Therapeutic Agents: Research in this area is centered on the development of scaffolds to allow delivery of therapeutics into specific cells. Many biologically active molecules are not able to independently permeate the cellular membrane, thereby eliminating their effectiveness as therapeutic agents. We have developed a number of different approaches to accomplish the translocation of bioactive molecules across the cellular membrane. Cell penetrating polyproline and dendrimer scaffolds, for instance, demonstrated the facile entry of small molecules, biopolymers and gold nanorods into cells, whereas folate-conjugated hydrogel nanoparticles displayed specific toxicity for cancer cells displaying the folate receptor.