麻豆传媒

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.

Professor, Department of Radiology, School of Medicine
Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case School of Engineering
Co-Leader, Cancer Imaging Program, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center
Associate Director, Medical Scientist Training Program, School of Medicine
Research Information
Research Interests:
Image-guided drug delivery
Ultrasound contrast agents
Interventional Oncology
Nanomedicine
Cancer detection and therapy
Molecular imaging
Awards and Honors:
Mather Spotlight Woman of Achievement Award 2015 Case Western Reserve University
Distinguished Investigator Award 2013 Academy of Radiology Research
Professional Memberships
Elected Fellow, 2015, American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering
External Appointments
Associate Editor Annals of Biomedical Engineering, 2013

Clive Prestidge is currently a Professor within Clinical and Health Science, a lead researcher within UniSA's Cancer Research Institute and head of the Nanostructure and Drug Delivery research group.
Clive is the author of over 250 refereed international journal articles, textbook chapters and conference papers and over 100 major project reports to industry. He has supervised more than 35 PhD, 10 MSc and 30 Honours students and has taken a leadership role in a number of major collaborative projects in association with national and international industries, the ARC, and University researchers from Australia and overseas. Prof Prestidge has attracted competitive research grants worth more than $15M from government and industry sources.
Clive was the founder of Ceridia Pty Ltd, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company established to commercial the the Lipoceramic drug delivery technology he invented.
The Prestidge research group is focused on Drug delivery, Nanomedicine and BioPharmaceutical Engineering. Its Primary Mission is to: (1) Engineer novel particle based biomaterials with specific biological activity and their application to solve biopharmaceutical challenges. (2) Determine mechanisms for bioactivity through advanced biophysical analysis (3) Develop drug delivery solutions to address unmet clinical needs. Some of our Grand Challenges are to: (1) Deliver Challenging Therapeutic Molecules – For Better Medicines (2) Eradicate Bacterial Biofilms (3) Optimise Biotech and Pharmaceutical Processing and Manufacture