Research Interests
Macromolecular Therapeutics:
A) High molecular weight Iron chelators for Chelation therapy: Fundamental studies are directed towards the development of blood compatible Iron chelating polymers which could bind Iron inside the human body and excrete it through kidney. Applications include the development of treatments to secondary iron overload, a condition caused by severe blood transfusion (e.g. sickle-cell anaemia, beta-thalessimia). This is particularly important due to the fact that humans do not have an iron excretion pathway.

B) Polymeric Antidotes to reverse the clotting effects of anticoagulants: Anticoagulation is one of the commonly used clinical interventions in modern medicine. Heparin based anticoagulants are widely used. We are developing a safe and effective antidote which works effectively against unfractionated heparin, low molecular weight heparins, and fondaparinux and other anticoagulants.

C) Glyco-conjugates as inhibitors of cell or protein interactions or immuno-targeting agents: The importance of carbohydrate-protein/cell binding in various biological events makes them very attractive in the development of therapeutic agents specifically targeting certain proteins or cells. But the weak affinity of monovalent carbohydrate ligands to proteins and cell receptors hindered the development of carbohydrate-based therapeutic agents. Our interests are in the development of blood compatible multivalent polymer glyco-conjugates and surfaces for cell targeting purposes
Polymer Cell Derivatization Technology (Universal blood donor cells and Cell based therapeutic carriers):
Our focus is on the development of polymeric cell derivatization technology for the creation of universal blood donor cells. We are developing novel polymers and polymerization techniques to couple polymers on to erythrocytes towards this purpose. We are also extending the application of this technology for converting red cells as a carrier for homeostatic and antithrombotic drugs.
Development of Blood Compatible Surface Coatings:
Our lab is interested in the development of anti-thrombotic polymeric coating for implants. Our goal is to understand the various processes when blood comes in contact with a polymeric surface using various blood interaction analysis and proteomic methods. Novel polymer derivatization techniques being developed to manipulate its surface interaction with blood and other biological fluids. On a fundamental level, we investigate the blood- surface interaction using well-defined and well-characterized surfaces using a variety of surface analytical techniques, calorimetry, proteomics and blood interaction studies. Major interests are in the development of specialty surface coatings for various implants (orthopaedic, coronary stents), storage containers for blood and bio-sensors.
Development of Polymeric Reagents for Proteomic Applications:
Proteomics relies upon high efficiency mass spectrometry (MS) analysis of tryptic peptides of up to thousands of proteins present in biological compartments. MS based functional proteomics has emerged as a powerful tool in quantifying and analyzing proteome modifications submitted to different treatments. However, the complexity and high dynamic range of proteins in living organisms and the fact that interesting proteins/protein modifications are often found in low abundance jeopardize functional proteomic analysis. We are developing highly functional, soluble polymeric supports which can be used for selective enrichment of peptides before MS analysis.