My research focuses on the development, characterization and application of nanotechnology based drug delivery systems that carry drugs to target sites in the body. The goal is to overcome the various therapeutic barriers using novel nano-platforms for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. My research centers on encapsulating various types of hydrophobic, hydrophilic, and small molecule drugs and imaging agents in nanoparticles and producing lab-scale and large-scale batches.
The three main areas of my research include:
1) Biomimetic drug delivery systems: bio-mimicking natures created by covering a polymeric nanoparticle with a cellular membrane extracted directly from cells;
2) Polymeric based nanoparticles: including the synthesis of targeted and non-targeted PLGA based nanoparticles. The targeting molecules such as peptides or antibodies may be attached using a linker which is either non-covalent or covalent to the polymeric or lipid surface using surface chemistry;
3) Curcumin Nano therapeutics: we have developed various nanoformulations using curcumin and are actively working to improve these nanoformulations to provide an effective way to deliver this drug.