RESEARCH

Cardiovascular Disease

The cardiovascular system, comprising the heart, blood vessels, and blood, primarily functions to transport oxygen and nutrients to different tissues and organs within the body. Risk factors like diet and aging can impair cardiovascular function, leading to serious conditions such as coronary, cerebral, and peripheral artery diseases. Despite significant advancements in biomedical research, numerous challenges persist in treating and preventing these conditions. One critical obstacle is the safe and efficient delivery of  therapeutic agents to specific areas affected by cardiovascular disease. 

Targeting Inflammation

Chronic inflammation is a major cause of human diseases. In the cardiovascular system, persistent inflammation accelerates the development and progression of atherosclerosis, leading to the obstruction of blood flow and life-threatening incidents like heart attack and ischemic stroke. Our research strategy involves leveraging our understanding of the pathological mechanisms to create nanosized drugs specfically designed to target vascular lesions and inhibit inflammatory events within diseased arteries. Our ultimate goal is to enhance the therapeutic outcomes of cardiovascular disease. 

Precision Nanotherapeutics

Our laboratory employs biomimetic approaches to develop novel nanocarriers for targeted drug delivery. We utilize these innovative platforms to transport chemical inhibitors and nucleic acids with precision to the diseased vasculature. These lesion-targeted nanodrugs enable us to inhibit inflammatory events at specific sites, ultimately enhancing their therapeutic efficacy while minimizing the risk of side effects in healthy organs. 

Targeted Contrast Agents

Our research is dedicated to advancing the field of cardiovascular disease diagnosis through developing targeted imaging agents. By integrating the biomimetic nanoparticles with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technology, we have created specialized MRI contrast agents that significantly enhance the detection of vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis. Beyond monitoring disease progression, our targeted imaging agents offer substantial promise for early detection and prompt treatment of cardiovascular disease, ultimately  leading to improved outcomes.