Drug Delivery and Molecular Sensing Program

The Drug Delivery and Molecular Sensing Program is based on strengths in cancer research at Purdue University that closely match new initiatives from the National Cancer Institute (NCI). In particular, the NCI has proposed new initiatives in cancer imaging, nanotechnology, genomics, proteomics, and biomarker discovery.

Most of the participants in the program are “molecular tool” designers and developers. Research activities include 1) synthesis and use of molecular probes 2) development of drug delivery technologies and devices 3) design and construction of nanoparticles for cellular studies and diagnostics 4) development of “omics” tools 5) development of molecular imaging technologies 6) development of tools for probing bimolecular structure and function. Examples of molecular probes with potential use for both imaging and drug delivery include folate-conjugates of ligands that bind radioactive nuclides or antitumor drugs such as doxorubicin; geldanamycin-labeled quantum dots; drug and imaging agent-containing self-assembling systems composed of RNA or chemically modified-liposomes, cyclodextrins, or synthetic copolymers. An example of the latter includes paclitaxol delivery through encapsulation with hydrotropic copolymers.

A number of participants are engaged in the development of mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance, or flow cytometry for applications in cancer diagnostics, while others are focusing on imaging tools for visualization of events at the cellular level associated with cancer or silicon-based nanowire and microscale cantilevers for sensing biological macromolecules and viruses. Drug Delivery and Molecular Sensing Program participants work with investigators in the Cell Growth and Differentiation, Drug Design and Discovery, and Chemical and Structural Biology programs for guidance in the selection of molecular targets, synthesis of new molecules, and selection of cell and animal model systems.