Drug Discovery and Drug and Gene Delivery
UVA is widely recognized for its strengths in biopanning for novel peptide ligands in vivo, as well as using peptides and antibodies to target the delivery of microbubbles, liposomes and genes in the settings of cancer, cardiovascular and infectious disease.The combination of targeted drug and gene delivery with molecular imaging and systems biology provides a strong interdisciplinary foundation for the development and testing of novel targeted pharmaceuticals, as well as the revival and re-purposing of known small-molecule drugs with off-target effects that can now be corrected by targeted delivery.
BME Primary Faculty in this Area
Shannon Barker
Bryan Berger
Bryan received and his PhD in chemical engineering from the University of Delaware. He was a post-doctoral fellow in the department of biochemistry & biophysics at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Currently Bryan is associate professor of chemical engineering with a joint appointment in biomedical engineering.
Brent A. French
Brent A. French combines advanced methods of targeted drug and gene delivery with biomedical imaging in vivo to explore novel targets and treatment strategies in cardiovascular disease. Research interests of the Molecular Bioengineering Lab focus on developing new, more effective strategies for treating and preventing human disease.
Kimberly A. Kelly
Kimberly Kelly uses computational methods and bioinformatics to develop more effective and less toxic cancer drugs through the identification of disease-relevant druggable targets, with a special emphasis on translation to the clinic and commercialization.
Kelsey Kubelick
Kelsey Kubelick leverages light, sound, nanoconstruct design and cellular engineering strategies to develop advanced theranostic imaging platforms. With a special interest in ultrasound and photoacoustics, her lab creates imaging tools that play a critical role in informing, guiding and enhancing therapies across a range of biomedical applications.
Richard J. Price
Dr. Price's research program centers on the development and implementation of image-guided drug and gene delivery systems for treating cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.
Evan Scott
Natasha Diba Sheybani, Ph.D.
Dr. Sheybani leads a translational research program centered on innovating tools and paradigms for non-invasive precision cancer management.
Joint Faculty in Drug and Gene Delivery
Alexander L (Sasha) Klibanov
Born and raised and educated (all the way past Ph.D.) in Moscow, then USSR, what is now Russia. In 1991 moved to USA and worked in academic research and industrial positions. Research interests are in the area of chemistry applications in biomedical research.