Microfluidic synthesis of Nanoparticles
Microfluidic devices allow for precise control over the synthesis and assembly of nanoparticles. This precision is crucial for tailoring nanoparticles with specific properties. The incorporation of microfluidics into the research workflow empowers the team to fine-tune nanoparticle properties, control drug loading, streamline the production process, and develop a big library of nanoparticles. This is needed to develop a mechanistic understanding of nanoparticle interaction with biological barriers.
Fundamental Nanoscience Program
Predicting the behavior of nanoparticles in biological environments is a significant challenge. Biological environments are incredibly complex. The limitations in current characterization techniques, which often involve isolating nanoparticles from their natural biological surroundings, can introduce artifacts and hinder the accuracy of predictions.
We focus on understanding how nanoparticles interact with various cellular components, proteins, and biomolecules. We employ advanced techniques such as nanoparticle tracking analysis and integrated fluorescence correlation spectroscopy and imaging to quantify these temporal and spatial interactions. The goal is to enhance the understanding of nanoparticle behavior, which is essential for improving the clinical translation of nanocarriers.
Organ-on-a-Chip Models
In the human body, nanoparticles encounter dynamic fluid flow conditions as they navigate through blood vessels and other biological fluids. These conditions can include variations in flow rate, shear stress, and turbulence, which can all affect how nanoparticles interact with biological barriers. The lack of comprehensive models for understanding these interactions under dynamic flow conditions hinders our ability to design nanocarriers that can effectively reach their target sites. Without such models, the development of nanocarriers with optimal properties becomes challenging.
We develop dynamic organ-on-a-chip models and employs them to define a general trend or specified engineered parameters of nanoparticles prompting the kinetics of nanoparticle interactions with the biological barriers under conditions mimicking the physiological environment. This research addresses the impact of mechanical forces on nanoparticle behavior, a critical factor in nanomedicine.
Prenatal Nanomedicine
There is a limited knowledge on the interaction of nanoparticles with some biological barriers such as the placenta, a transient barrier during pregnancy and is important for fetal development. The field of prenatal nanomedicine is still relatively unexplored, and many questions remain unanswered. These questions can span from the optimal design of nanoparticles for prenatal drug delivery to their long-term effects on maternal and fetal health.
We develop dynamic organ-on-a-chip models and employs them to define a general trend or specified engineered parameters of nanoparticles prompting the kinetics of nanoparticle interactions with the biological barriers under conditions mimicking the physiological environment. This research addresses the impact of mechanical forces on nanoparticle behavior, a critical factor in nanomedicine.
Photo credit: Clara Tam