Targeted Drug Delivery
Pathogens have evolved to target and invade specific regions of the human body. Many of these regions are important therapeutic targets as well. Using their naturally evolved machinery, we are designing delivery systems for therapeutics and vaccines. We are also using some of the pathogen evolved proteins as starting points for lab based directed evolution that may lead to new higher affinity targeting proteins. These proteins are unique compared to antibodies as they may be more stable and better suited for their in vivo purpose.
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Primary researcher:
Tarik Khan
Xianzhe Wang
Yimin Huang
Funding:
Packard Fdn, Gates Fdn
Overview of Delivery Mechanism
Carboxylated PLGA Microspheres Encapsulating Antigen
Invasin Decorated PLGA Microspheres Loaded with Fluorescent Quantum Dots Shows Targeting Capabilities of the Delivery System
Invasin Mediated Internalization of Fluorescent Bacteria into Human Epithelial Cells