Our multidisciplinary research interests include the design, fabrication and characterization of versatile nanocarrier systems such as polymeric nanocapsules, nanospheres, magnetic nanoparticles, gold nanorods, hybrid nanoparticles to overcome challenges in biomedical research and healthcare applications. Our main goal is to use these nanomaterials to develop multimodal systems that have several functions in one pot for use in controlled and targeted drug delivery systems, imaging and diagnostic applications. BIND Lab team utilizes a variety of inputs from nanobiotechnology, polymers, colloids, biomaterials, life sciences and engineering approaches to realize such studies, which require a highly interdisciplinary working platform.
Fabrication of a nanocarrier system for drug delivery, diagnostic and imaging applications requires immense efforts to have improved clinical outcomes. To enhance the efficacy of the current treatment and diagnostic methods, we work on several aspects of nanomedicine field:
Design, Development and Fabrication
- Formulation of novel nanocarriers with unique tasks for the specific biomedical application such as cancer therapy and diagnosis.
- Characterization studies include determination of size, surface characteristics, morphology, stability, shelf life, cytotoxicity, biodegradability.
- Large-scale production is necessary to transfer the nanocarriers into clinics. Thus, we also work on scale-up adaptations by considering good manufacturing principles and applying design of experiment (DOE) tools to optimize the fabrication steps.
Encapsulation of Payloads and Controlled Release Studies
- Encapsulation of several payloads (e.g. cancer drugs, photothermal agents, imaging agents) into nanocarriers.
- Stimuli-triggered (e.g. temperature, light, enzyme, pH) drug release kinetics and optimization studies
- Simultaneous payload encapsulation studies to develop multimodal systems (e.g. combined cancer therapies, nanotheranostics)
Nanobiointeractions to Have Stealth and Targeting Properties
- Surface functionalization of nanocarriers using targeting ligands and/or stealth polymers
- Investigating stealth properties of nanocarriers for prolong blood circulation by mimicking blood composition and flow.
- Protein corona effect on drug release behavior of nanocarriers
