Current research:
Bioengineering, Artificial Cell, Biomaterial, Drug Delivery, Microbiome, Probiotics, Regenerative Medicine, Cell Therapy, Health Food, GI model, Stem Cell, Heart Health, Medical Device.
The primary research interest of this laboratory is in several innovative areas of artificial cells, microencapsulation, cell therapy, tissue engineering, nanomedicine, regenerative medicine, biomaterials, drug delivery, bacterial cell therapy, medical device engineering, and other biomedical technology developments. The research is focused on the development of new medical treatment strategies including novel cell and drug-based therapies.
Specifically, the research team is investigating cholesterol lowering formulations, fatty liver therapeutics, therapeutic protein delivery, novel therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases, wound healing, and formulations for use in colon and breast cancers. The research team is also investigating basic mechanisms for the design of artificial organ substitutes such as artificial kidney, liver and skin.
In recent years, the research team has contributed to the advancement and development of bioengineered, target specific, and controlled-release delivery systems. These systems are focused on designing artificial cell microcapsules to encapsulate mammalian cells, bacterial cells and other microorganisms, enzymes, small peptides, DNA and other active drugs. Such biotherapeutics are capable of targeting specific sites and are used in our research to design formulation for clinical applications.
In addition, the research team is developing systems that integrate bioengineering and tissue engineering principals, with gene and cell therapies, to design new therapeutic products. The present engineered formulations and devices have been applied in numerous areas including biomedicine, bioengineering, industry and clinical settings.