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.

 is an expert in the field of rapid detection of pathogens and toxins with extensive research and development experience in microbial diagnostics, and characterization of microbiome found in different environments (food, water, etc.), animal gut, and other body sites. He leads an interdisciplinary group researching food safety and neighborhood food systems in an urban environment, and clinical and translational microbiology.
More information:
Banerjee's interdisciplinary group conducts research on food safety and neighborhood food systems. They are interested in assessing the attribution of different environmental sources in the dissemination of pathogens through the food chain causing human health risks and microbial food safety. The focus of their research program comprises extensive laboratory-based investigation to develop biosensors and other molecular methods for rapid detection, screening, and characterization of pathogenic microorganisms or toxins from food, environmental (water, air, soil), and clinical samples.
Affiliations:
Banerjee is an associate professor of food safety in the  and a faculty Extension specialist for , both housed in the  at the . He is also an associate professor in the  at U of I.


 

Ph.D., North Carolina State University



Biography
Dr. Caryn L. Heldt is the Director of the Health Research Institute, the James and Lorna Mack Chair in Bioengineering, a Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering, and an Affiliate Professor in Biological Sciences at Michigan Technological University. She received her BS in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering from Michigan Technological University in 2001. Upon receiving her Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from North Carolina State University in 2008, she joined Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for her 2-year postdoctoral training. In 2015, Dr. Heldt was awarded an NSF CAREER award to study virus surface chemistry. Her lab is focused on the purification, removal, inactivation, and stabilization of viruses and gene therapy vectors.
Research
The Heldt Bioseparations laboratory is interested in understanding viral surface interactions at a chemical and molecular level and applying what we learn to biotherapeutic manufacturing. Biotherapies are products that are made from cells and used to improve human health. Their manufacturing is complicated by the complex melee that comes from cells and other living things. The lab’s focus is in different aspects of viruses in biomanufacturing. The virus could be the product, like in vaccines and gene therapies. Or it could be a contaminate, as in antibody production. By understanding the underlying scientific principles of how compounds and surfaces interact with viruses, processes can be improved to be more energy efficient, cost less, and more productive.



Links of Interest





Research Interests

Bioseparations
Virus removal and detection
Biosensors