Research interest
Our focus is on translational nanomedicine, which involves biomaterial synthesis, formulation design and development, and evaluation of different biocompatible nanoparticle-based platform technologies for targeted drug/gene delivery and imaging agents. Our laboratory also investigates biophysical interactions of nanomaterials with cells and cell-membrane lipids and studies intracellular trafficking of nanoparticles and their biodistribution in vivo to design and develop unique nanostructures for efficient, targeted drug/gene delivery systems. Our current primary research interests are in cancer treatment and detection, delivery of anti-oxidant enzymes in stroke and developing a non-stent approach to inhibition of restenosis. The ultimate goal of our cancer research is to design a tumor-targeted, non-viral, sustained p53 gene delivery system to treat both primary and metastatic tumors. Another objective of our cancer research is to develop nanoparticles that can effectively treat drug resistant cancers. We are developing and testing multifunctional magnetic nanoparticles that can simultaneously detect and treat cancers. Dr. Labhasetwar leads the Cancer NanoMedicine Program, a joint undertaking of the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Cleveland Clinic's Taussig Cancer Institute.
In other words ...
Our research focus is to explore the use of nanotechnology (such as tiny "nanoparticles" that can find their way into specific cells or tissues) to detect and treat various diseases, particularly cancer, stroke and cardiovascular conditions. To fight cancer, we are developing therapy to treat both original tumors and ones that have spread elsewhere.
Highlighted Publications
Sharma B, Ma W, Adjei A, Panyam J, Dimitrijevic D, Labhasetwar V. Nanoparticle-mediated p53 gene therapy for tumor inhibition. Drug Del. and Trans. Res. 1(1): 43-52, 2011.
Foy S, Manthe RL, Foy S, Dimitrijevic S, Krishnamurthy N, Labhasetwar V. Optical imaging and magnetic field targeting of magnetic nanoparticles in tumors, ACS Nano 4(9):5217-24, 2010
Peetla C, Bhave R, Vijayaraghavalu S, Stine A, Kooijman E, Labhasetwar V. Drug resistance in breast cancer cells: Biophysical characterization of and doxorubicin interactions with membrane lipids. Mol. Pharmaceutics 7(6):2334-48, 2010
Reddy MK, Labhasetwar V.Nanoparticle-mediated delivery of superoxide dismutase to the brain:an effective strategy to reduce ischemia-reperfusion injury. FASEB J., 23(5):1384-95,2009.
