Nanobioengineering

Numerous biological processes take place at the nanoscale, where interactions are shaped by a range of surface properties such as size, charge, and functional characteristics. Nanotechnology has emerged as a vital component of bioengineering, offering precise control and functionality to engineered systems operating at the cellular and biomolecular levels. 

Nanomaterials offer versatile platforms for delivering various therapeutic cargoes, such as small molecule drugs, nucleic acids, peptides, and proteins. Their large surface area-to-volume ratio enables effective loading of therapeutic agents, and their controlled release kinetics allow for sustained drug delivery at the tumor site, resulting in prolonged therapeutic effects and reduced dosing frequency. Among the diverse range of nanomaterials, stimuli-responsive nanoparticles are designed to respond to internal or external stimuli such as light, pH, or enzymatic activity, enabling triggered drug release specifically within the tumor microenvironment. Nanovesicles are synthetic nanoparticles designed to mimic the structure and function of natural extracellular vesicles. Nanovesicles exhibit stability, biocompatibility and enhanced cargo loading capacities, making them ideal candidates for delivering therapeutic payloads to specific disease sites. 

Our lab focuses on the precise control over drug release through the application of nanobioengineering to enhance therapeutic efficacy while minimizing unintended effects on healthy tissues. 

Representative research publications in this area

• Kang, M., Quintana, J., Hu, H., Teixeira, V.C., Olberg, S., Banla, L.I., Rodriguez, V., Hwang, W.L., Schuemann, J., Parangi, S. and Weissleder, R., 2024. Sustained and Localized Drug Depot Release using Radiation‐Activated Scintillating Nanoparticles. Advanced Materials, p.2312326. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/adma.202312326

• Hu, H., Ng, T.S., Kang, M., Scott, E., Li, R., Quintana, J.M., Matvey, D., Vantaku, V.R., Weissleder, R., Parangi, S. and Miller, M.A., 2023. Thyroid Cancers Exhibit Oncogene-Enhanced Macropinocytosis that Is Restrained by IGF1R and Promote Albumin–Drug Conjugate Response. Clinical Cancer Research, 29(17), pp.3457-3470. https://aacrjournals.org/clincancerres/article/29/17/3457/728545/Thyroid-Cancers-Exhibit-Oncogene-Enhanced 

• Kim, H.Y., Kang, M., Choo, Y.W., Go, S.H., Kwon, S.P., Song, S.Y., Sohn, H.S., Hong, J. and Kim, B.S., 2019. Immunomodulatory lipocomplex functionalized with photosensitizer-embedded cancer cell membrane inhibits tumor growth and metastasis. Nano Letters, 19(8), pp.5185-5193. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.nanolett.9b01571

• Jung, M., Kang, M., Kim, B.S., Hong, J., Kim, C., Koh, C.H., Choi, G., Chung, Y. and Kim, B.S., 2022. Nanovesicle‐mediated targeted delivery of immune checkpoint blockades to potentiate therapeutic efficacy and prevent side effects. Advanced Materials, 34(9), p.2106516. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/adma.202106516

• Hong, J., Kang, M., Jung, M., Lee, Y.Y., Cho, Y., Kim, C., Song, S.Y., Park, C.G., Doh, J. and Kim, B.S., 2021. T‐cell‐derived nanovesicles for cancer immunotherapy. Advanced Materials, 33(33), p.2101110. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/adma.202101110

• Hong, J., Jung, M., Kim, C., Kang, M., Go, S., Sohn, H., Moon, S., Kwon, S., Song, S.Y. and Kim, B.S., 2023. Senescent cancer cell-derived nanovesicle as a personalized therapeutic cancer vaccine. Experimental & Molecular Medicine, 55(3), pp.541-554. https://www.nature.com/articles/s12276-023-00951-z

• Choo, Y.W., Kang, M., Kim, H.Y., Han, J., Kang, S., Lee, J.R., Jeong, G.J., Kwon, S.P., Song, S.Y., Go, S. and Jung, M., 2018. M1 macrophage-derived nanovesicles potentiate the anticancer efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors. ACS nano, 12(9), pp.8977-8993. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsnano.8b02446