The Philmus lab’s research centers on bioactive natural products (aka secondary metabolites) from bacteria with a focus on cyanobacteria (photosynthetic bacteria). We develop synthetic biology protocols, bioinformatics programs, and analytical chemistry methodologies to identify, isolate and study these compounds with the potential to serve as drug leads to combat cancer and microbial infections.
Sahay lab is developing state of the art lipid-based nanoparticles for effective delivery of mRNA based vaccines and therapeutics. We design, characterize, and formulate nanoparticles and study their intracellular delivery mechanisms. Currently, our lipid nanoparticles are deployed to deliver genes/genome editors for the treatment of CF, retinal degeneration and COVID-19.
We take multidisciplinary approaches to develop therapeutic interventions against sexually transmitted infection, gonorrhea. Gonorrhea affects millions of people globally and has serious consequences on reproductive and neonatal health. Gonorrhea outcomes are especially devastating in sexual, gender, racial, and ethnic minorities and resource-limited countries. To develop vaccine(s), we apply proteomics-driven antigen discovery and identified candidates are assessed in vitro and in mouse model. The second focus is drug discovery through high-throughput screening of small molecule inhibitors that target central players in bacterial physiology and pathogenesis.
Research in the Stevens laboratory is aimed at determining the role and function of vitamins and dietary phytochemicals in human health and disease. His pioneering work on the hop polyphenol, xanthohumol, has resulted in 40 papers and created a market for xanthohumol used in the management of inflammatory bowel disease.
Our laboratory investigates the interface of material science and biology to develop novel drug delivery and molecular imaging platforms. This interdisciplinary research leverages advanced chemistry techniques, bioengineering, and strong clinical collaborations to develop experimental therapeutics and new imaging modalities. In particular, this work exploits the unique capabilities of nanomaterials to improve the efficacy of conventional cancer treatments.
Our research focuses on novel nanomedicines for imaging and treatment of cancer, endometriosis, and other diseases. We are developing multifunctional nanoplatforms for fluorescence-guided surgery, intraoperative phototherapy, magnetic hyperthermia and gene therapy. Our primary objective, which is currently funded by four NIH grants, is to translate the developed nanoplatforms into the clinic.
Our research utilizes an interdisciplinary approach toward the development of effective nanomaterials-based imaging and therapeutic agents, particularly for cancer, endometriosis, and placenta-related diseases. This includes the development of photo-theranostic agents for use in image-guided therapies. The main objective is to assist with accurate early diagnosis/visualization of tissue of interest using innovative nano-imaging probes, with subsequent immediate treatment.
