Biologics Discovery

Studied the mechanism and the use of a nano-carrier system that delivers cytotoxic drugs to androgen-receptor positive prostate cancer cells.

Participated in the development of the Highly Active anti-Leukemia Stem Cell Therapy (HALT): Conducted multiple drug studies using a primary xenograft model of AML established by transplanting patient samples into immunodeficient mice. This project was supported by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) and the Cancer Stem Cell Consortium (CSCC) with the goal of bringing new stem cell specific medicines to IND filing and subsequent clinical trials.

Developed sialoadhesin (CD169) targeted antigen delivery system using ligand-decoratednanoparticles that target antigens to macrophages and induce antigen-specific T cell immuneresponses.The project was supported by NIH grant R01CA138891 (Role in project: Consortium Principal Investigator).

Developed chemotherapeutic-loaded liposomal nanoparticles displaying glycan ligands of human CD22 (Siglec-2) for in vivo targeting and killing of human B cell lymphomas/leukemias. Examined pharmacokinetic (PK), pharmacodynamic (PD) and efficacy of the targeted liposomal drugs in a xenograft model bearing disseminated human B lymphoma cells.

Participated in molecular design and development of the peptide-based immunotherapeutics and vaccines against human and animal diseases.Managed and coordinated R&D team projects.

Established a three-dimensional protein simulation model describing the interaction of the LIGHT molecule, a new member of tumor necrosis family (TNF), and its receptor, LTβR. Designed point mutation sites on the LIGHT molecule to abolish the binding affinity to LTβR such that regulates its bioactivity.