Nanomedicine
The NanoBiotechnology Center at Roswell Park Cancer Institute (NBC@RPCI) carries out multidisciplinary research to solve important cancer related problems, primarily in imaging, detection, and treatment of cancer. We identify a specific clinical problem, then design, synthesize, characterize and use nanodevices to address that very issue by biophysical approaches combining the latest achievements of nanomedicine, nanotechnology and cancer research.
Presently we focus on a composite nanodevice platform, where targeted or non-targeted nanodevices are used in combination with electromagnetic fields or radiation. Both active and passive biophysical properties are being exploited to provide improved imaging and therapy. Our general molecular target is the tumor microvasculature. We also actively research means of targeting specific receptors on the tumor. These next generation nanodevices will significantly advance the in vivo and ex vivo detection, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer.
We have conceptualized and published original papers on dendrimer template synthesis and characterization, radioactive nanocomposites, nanoparticle toxicity, biodistribution of non-targeted and targeted multifunctional nanodevices, selective targeting of integrins, significant effects of size and charge of composite nanoparticles, nano-brachytherapy, and photomechanical therapy.
