Research

Using nanomedicine and genetic medicine to engineer novel therapeutics

Our research mission requires both engineering and science as we explore the biological mechanisms that impede genetic medicine, and use that information to guide our engineering.

We primarily use lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) to deliver genetic cargo (RNA or DNA)

We use tools from nanotechnology, formulation chemistry, biophysics, microfluidics, organic synthetic chemistry, and molecular biology. But we are always excited to use new approaches!

We focus on two groups of diseases:

1

Acute Critical Illnesses

We use mRNA-loaded LNPs to treat acute critical illnesses. These are illnesses that rapidly (hours to days) lead to death or permanent organ dysfunction, such as stroke, ARDS, and more.

2

Chronic Diseases

We were the first to publish on safe and effective DNA-loaded LNPs (DNA-LNPs). We now use DNA-loaded LNPs (DNA-LNPs) to treat common, chronic illnesses.

As a bioengineering lab, we work closely with industry

Before starting my lab, I spun out three medical device companies based on my inventions, including Pelvalon, which gained FDA approval and was acquired by Laborie Medical Technologies. After starting my lab, we have spun out nanomedicine / genetic medicine companies, including NanoMuse (focused on mRNA-LNPs for acute critical illnesses) and ClearXpression (based on our invention of the first safe & effective DNA-LNPs for common, chronic diseases).

In addition to spinning out companies, we work with many established companies, with past or present collaborators including Insmed, Boehringer Ingelheim, and BioNTech. These industry interactions are a great opportunity for our trainees to get experience working in industry, as about half of our trainees want to pursue industry careers.