Achievement

Nanoparticles can be synthesized to study and understand a variety of diseases and can be made from biodegradable polymers or phospholipids for both detection of disease states or during treatment. IGERT trainee Matt Dubach has developed fluorescently labeled nanoparticles to detect sodium ion levels which are very critical in brain signaling and act as a tool to regulate heart disease. Development of an in situ, real-time glucose monitoring system is the focus of IGERT trainee Kate Balaconis. In this project, fluorescently-labeled nanoparticles are embedded under the skin like a ‘tattoo’ and using a hand-held reading device, change in fluorescence signal due to glucose level can be studied. Gene delivery, especially siRNA, is gaining interest as an effective method to kill cancer cells. Bobby Riehle, an IGERT trainee, has developed cationic liposomes inside which siRNA has been encapsulated that have the capability to kill cancer cells.