My Work
My work in nanotechnology first arose out of a general scientific curiosity, as well as my time spent in Polymer Chemistry as a visiting professor at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell. During my time at UMass, I met Dr. Tomalia at the Gordon Conferences, who sparked my interest in a particular kind of polymer called a dendrimer, marked by its branching structure. Dr. Tomalia had been the inventor of these dendrimers, while I found a way to optimize the synthesis process. Subsequently, I became a founding member of the Dendrimer Center of Excellence while working at the Michigan Molecular Institute in Midland, MI, and soon after we invented the class of dendrimer nanocomposites together.
Later in my career, through my work with Dr. James Baker at the Center for Biologic Nanotechnology at the University of Michigan, I became involved with cancer research. Presently I work with both UB and the Roswell Park Cancer Institute as a Professor of Oncology and Biomedical Nanotechnology, and work to use composite dendrimer nanodevices in the treatment of cancer. Our work targets the microvasculature of tumor tissues to block subsequent vessel generation and cut off the supply of the cancer. Since our research targets a general feature of all cancers, our findings may be applicable in treating a wide range of cancer types.
My present work has largely grown out of my own expertise and collaborations with other professors and universities throughout my career. Over the years I have been involved in many research centers and conferences, and was also a founding member of the American Academy of Nanomedicine. My current research group is similarly founded on the principle of exploring collaborations and includes individuals from a range of specialties such as Radiation Medicine, Nanochemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science, Biochemistry, Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Biology, and Pharmacology.
My Research
My fundamental and applied research concentration is in biomedical nanotechnology, including the conceptualization, synthesis, and characterization of nanosized biocompatible organic-inorganic nanoparticles and engineered nanodevices. I work primarily with dendrimers and hybrid nanostructures for biologic, bioengineering, medical, and materials applications in the broadest sense.
At the Roswell Park Cancer Institute I work with nanomedicine, organic chemistry, and dendrimer/polymer chemistry to synthesize and characterize novel hybrid nanomaterials with designed properties for molecular imaging and target specific therapy. The applications of this work can include targeted imaging (CT, MRI, etc.), interaction of macromolecules and nanoparticles with cells, intracellular and cellular trafficking of nanoparticulate materials, imaging and treatment, with a primary focus on detection, therapy, and the prevention of diseases.
Currently my work is focusing on the use of inorganic compounds such as radioactive gold in the treatment of cancerous tumors. By studying the composition, structure, and architecture of these molecules, we are working to synthesize highly regulated nanomaterials for our collaborators. Our recent in vivo experiments in mice have shown a 50% shrinkage in tumor volume following one single injection. We hope to continue our work in this area to eventually form an easily reproducible treatment plan for a wide variety of cancer types and patients.