Research

Our work is at the interface of biochemistry, biotechnology, biophysics and medicinal chemistry. Work in progress includes:

Studies of the human red blood cell membrane: 

We are studying the structure of the human red blood cell membrane and its role in health and disease.  Because the membrane-spanning protein, band 3, catalyzes anion transport, links the cytoskeleton to the membrane, organizes a glycolytic enzyme complex on the membrane, binds/regulates at least 8 other proteins, and serves as the senescent cell antigen, we are studying its structure and function at the molecular level.  We are also investigating the roles of other membrane proteins in controlling cell shape, regulating erythrocyte metabolism, modulating cell flexibility, and mediating oxygen delivery.     Learn more!

Development of targeted therapeutics: 

We have developed methods to target drugs specifically to  pathologic cells, thereby avoiding collateral toxicity to healthy cells.  In the case of cancer, we have exploited the up-regulation of the folate receptor on malignant cells to target the following pharmaceuticals to cancer tissues in vivo: i) chemotherapeutic agents, ii) protein toxins, iii) gene therapy vectors, iv) antisense oligonucleotides, v) radioimaging agents, vi) siRNAs, vii) liposomes with entrapped drugs, viii) radiotherapeutic agents, ix) immunotherapeutic agents, and x) enzyme constructs for prodrug therapy.  Related ligand-targeted drugs are also being developed for imaging and therapy of rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, atherosclerosis, lupus, osteoarthritis, diabetes, sarcoidosis, Sjogren's disease, organ transplant rejection, tissue trauma, and psoriasis.      Learn more!

Development of techniques for pathogen detection: 

We are developing novel methods for the rapid detection and identification of pathogens that will prove critical in the detection of both biowarfare agents and naturally transmitted human pathogens.  The method involves the capture of the pathogenic microbes on patterned surfaces that have been derivatized with low molecular weight ligands that specifically recognize and bind each individual pathogen.  Analysis of the pathogen-coated surface by interferometry allows identification and quantitation of each microbe in a complex biological sample.  Ongoing research involves synthesis of capture ligands for avian influenza virus, anthrax, Pseudomonas, Listeria, Yersinia, and E. coli, etc.         Learn more!