天美传媒

Research in the Biomaterials and Nanomedicine Laboratory focuses on capturing the promise of nanomaterials for the development of new strategies for the detection and treatment of diseases. Specifically, our group develops functional nanostructures that can act as highly specific contrast agents for bioimaging, in vitro and in vivo biosensors, targeted and intracellular drug delivery systems, and stimuli controlled delivery systems. These responsive nanomaterials incorporate functional nucleic acid linkers, enzymatically cleavable linkers, polyelectrolytes, and amphiphilic copolymers to mediate physico-chemical changes in the polymeric networks upon interaction with target molecules, leading to the desired material response. Work in the laboratory encompasses the synthesis and characterization of copolymers and nanoparticles, in vitro confirmation of stimuli-responsive behavior, and the evaluation of the particle functionality on cultured human cells. Dr. Betancourt鈥檚 group collaborates with academic and industrial researchers for preclinical evaluation of the compatibility and efficacy of the developed biomaterials and technology transfer.
 
Current projects in Dr. Betancourt鈥檚 laboratory include the development of: (1) aptamer-based responsive nanostructures that can be activated by disease-specific molecules, and on the study of the applications of these functional materials in targeted drug delivery, bioimaging, and biomolecular sensing; (2) highly specific nanoparticle-based near infrared contrast agents and drug delivery systems for optical detection and treatment of cancer; (3) photoablation agents and biosensors based on conductive polymers.

Balaji Narasimhan directs the Nanovaccine Institute based at Iowa State University. The institute is looking for new and better ways to prevent disease, including influenza and cancers. Nanovaccines, unlike current vaccines, are based on tiny particles that can send pathogen-like signals to immune cells. They can prevent disease. They can boost the immune system鈥檚 own response to disease. Production is quick. Storage is easy. And the technology is sustainable. 鈥淭his is truly one of the dream teams working on vaccine research anywhere in the world,鈥� Narasimhan said.

Marian Hettiaratchi and members of her lab work to develop protein delivery vehicles for regenerative medicine by integrating cutting-edge techniques in protein engineering, polymer chemistry, and computational modeling to design versatile, clinically-relevant biomaterials. Hettiaratchi is a recipient of an NIH R21 Trailblazer Award for her project, 鈥淎 Directed Evolution Approach to Affinity-Based Protein Delivery.鈥�  She was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Toronto after receiving her PhD in biomedical engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University. She joined the UO faculty in 2020 and holds an affiliate appointment at Oregon Health & Science University.