My research is focused on developing a new saposin C (SapC) coupled dioleoylphosphatidylserine (DOPS) nanovesicle which has the potential to offer a targeted, potent, broad, and safe therapeutic agent for cancer patients. In preclinical studies, these
stable nanovesicles (average diameter of 200 nm) have shown tumor-specific targeting activity and cancer-selective killing efficacy with significant inhibition of tumor growth in various animal tumor models. SapC-DOPS has striking absence of toxicity
and adverse side effects in animals. In addition, these vesicles can deliver hydrophilic imaging probes, proteins, and RNA/DNA for cancer-selective targeting though specific binding of the surface exposed PS of tumor cell and vessels. Platform development
of SapC-DOPS technology is my ongoing effort for cancer detection and therapy.
Ahmet Kaynak, PhD Candidate
Graduate Assistant
Ahmet is a currently PhD candidate in the Biomedical Engineering, joined to lab in 2017. He received his bachelor’s degree in Bioengineering Department from Ege University in Turkey. His research focuses on elucidating the mechanism of electric field on cancer-biomarker modulation and enhancing the treatment efficacy of certain cancer-biomarker targeting drugs against cancer.
Subrahmanya Vallabhapurapu PhD
Research Associate
I did my PhD in Immunology at the Institute of Virology and immunobiology, University of Wuerzburg, Germany. As a postdoctoral fellow, I gained expertise in stem cell biology, epigenetics, signal transduction and cancer biology. My current research focus is on understanding mechanisms of carcinogenesis and tumor immune evasion, with the eventual goal of development of tumor targeted therapies
Eric P. Smith, MD,
Research Associate Collaborator
I have an administrative role in the Department of Internal Medicine. My background includes training in Pediatrics and Pediatric Endocrinology, basic research in reproductive biology, laboratory management, and mentoring. This combination of expertise
is applied in different creative ways to promote the research productivity of faculty and facilitate training of residents and fellows. In addition to episodic assistance, I arrange to establish ongoing relationships with specific investigators and
assist them in meeting their unique needs. For example, with Dr. Xiaoyang Qi, I assist in grant preparation, manuscript submission, and lab meeting presentations. I also perform a variety of “post-award” roles related to some of the successfully
awarded grants. As another example, with Dr. Cohen and, in large part due to my endocrinology background, I organize his laboratory meetings, engage in discussion of results, and assist in achieving the clinical milestones of his study.
Wenhai Shao, PhD, Associate Professor
Collaborator
My lab has centered on the use of in
vivo mouse models to study both basic immunology and disease pathogenesis
of lupus and lupus nephritis. We have made important contributions to our understanding of TAM (Tyro-3, Axl, Mer) receptor tyrosine
kinases in immune homeostasis and pathogenesis. We discovered that the Mer
receptor tyrosine kinase mediates renal protection in inducible and spontaneous
lupus nephritis. Most significantly, we revealed that Axl is up-regulated and
activated in the inflamed kidney to mediate cell survival and promote cellular
proliferation. Recently, we discovered a synergistic pathway under Axl
activation to cross regulate mTORC1 and NF-kB activation, leading to mesangial cell survival and proliferation
during renal inflammation. We are now working on Axl-target therapy in mouse
models of lupus and lupus nephritis.
