Nanoparticle drug delivery vehicles can encapsulate therapeutic molecules, such as nucleic acids or chemotherapies, offering several advantages over the free molecules including increased stability, prolonged circulation, tissue-specific delivery, and cellular uptake. The precise design of these materials dictates their delivery to specific tissues and cells in vivo.

We are interested in studying how the physicochemical properties and chemical composition of nanoparticle drug delivery technologies influence biodistribution and delivery to tissues and cells of interest to treat specific diseases. Our findings will guide nanoparticle development for cancers or treating diseases during pregnancy.

The field of drug delivery specifically for use during pregnancy to treat fetal or maternal diseases is in very early stages. Treating diseases and pre-existing conditions during pregnancy is challenging due to a lack of knowledge regarding how therapeutics impact fetal growth and development. This is further complicated by the dynamic development of the maternal-fetal interface as pregnancy advances. Thus, there is an imminent need to develop new and innovative therapies for both fetal and maternal life-threatening conditions.

Our lab is dedicated to studying how nanoparticles can be used for drug delivery to treat maternal or fetal conditions during pregnancy while minimizing risk to the developing fetus.

Cancers, such as ovarian, endometrial, and cervical cancers, are commonly treated aggressive therapies can adversely impact current and future reproductive health. Nanoparticles are promising for cancers by enabling multimodal therapeutic opportunities. For example, nanoparticles can be used for targeted drug delivery to specific tissues, improved cell uptake and endosomal escape, triggered activation to leave healthy tissue unharmed, heat-based therapies for tumor ablation, and imaging applications.

Nanoparticles can be exploited as both drug delivery vehicles by encapsulating therapeutic cargo, as well as tools for secondary therapy due to the functionality of the nanocarrier itself. The impactlab is interested in developing multifunctional nanoparticles to treat cancers, with a focus on high specificity and safety for future reproductive success