Progress in Molecular Targeting: From Bioanalytical to Biomedical
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
1:30 p.m., Room 267 

Organizer:

Raoul Kopelman, University of Michigan

Speakers:

1:35      Targeted Multifunctional Nanoparticle Probes: In-vivo Detection and Therapy of Brain Tumor  RAOUL KOPELMAN, University of Michigan

2:15      Vascular Zip Codes and Synaphic Targeting of Drugs and Nanoparticles  ERKKI RUOSLAHTI, Burnham Institute at UCSB

2:55      Several Novel Microarray Platforms for Post-Genomic Researches and Clinical Applications  ZUHONG LU, Southeast University

3:35      Molecular Level Targeting of Cancer Cells  WEIHONG TAN, University of Florida

Overview:

Much of nature’s biochemistry, such as the operation of the immune system, is based on recognition by antibodies, peptides, polysaccharides, etc.  Therefore, many diseases, from cancer to cardiac failure, result from malfunctions of such molecular recognition.  On the other hand, much of current medical progress is based on intelligent application of molecular targeting methods.  The biomedical importance of molecular recognition involves at least three levels: 1. Bioanalytical recognition (e.g. proteins in ELISA), 2. Biomedical research (e.g. cellular biology), 3. Medical applications (e.g. imaging or therapy).  Much of current research and analysis is based on targeted imaging by fluorophores, i.e. optical methods, and other “contrast agents” (say MRI), as well as on targeted drug delivery. 

Professor Ruoslahti (Burnham Institute and UCSB) has pioneered the development of molecular targets and his peptides have been the basis for much research work in this field, and the basis of the highly important new paradigm in pharmacology, the use of targeted drugs and imaging agents.  Professor Lu (Southeast University, China) has applied such concepts to biomedical micro-array systems.  Professor Tan (Florida) has recently pioneered a rational design method for “aptamers,” which are the simplest synthetic chemistry substitutes for targeting peptides and antibodies.  Professor Kopelman (Michigan) has pioneered the targeted multifunctional nanoparticle approach, i.e. the targeting of nanosensors and nanoeffectors for both basic research and medical applications, one of the most important recent developments in “nanomedicine.”