Download James R. Baker

James R. Baker Jr.
University of Michigan
Professor, Internal Medicine and
Bioengineering
Chief, Division of Allergy
Director, Center for Biologic
Nanotechnology
Co-Director, Center for
Biomedical Engineering
Biotechnology,
Nanotechnology and
Immunology
Drug Delivery
• Research in the area of autoimmune endocrine
disease. He has helped define the basis of the
autoimmune response to thyroid auto antigens.
Gene Delivery
• Work concerning gene transfer; developing a new
vector system for gene transfer using synthetic
polymers (dendrimers).
Anti-microbial research
• Work on preventing pathogens from entering the
human body. This research project seeks to develop a
composite material that will serve as a pathogen
avoidance barrier and post-exposure therapeutic agent
to be applied in a topical manner to the skin and
mucous membranes.
Drug Delivery by dendrimers
Project called “smart
Bombs”:
Target cancerous cells and
leave the normal intact.
• Recognition and
diagnosis of cancer
• Drug delivery
• Location of c cells
• Kill by releasing agents
Drug Delivery by dendrimers
Dendrimers
• Known for several applications
• Able to enter cells
• Little toxicity
Focus:
• High energy lasers or sound wave energy to
trigger the release of the drug out of the
dendrimer.
Antimicrobial Nanoemulsion
• Use of soybean oil emulsified
with surfactants. Drops ~400
– 600 nm.
• The droplet do not coalesce
with themselves . High
surface tension make them
coalesce with other lipid
droplets, killing bacteria.
• Safe for external use. Not
safe for red cells, or sperm.
• The droplets fuse with cell membrane of microorganisms
resulting in cell lysis.
• Very effective in killing:
– Bacteria,
– Bacterial spores,
– Enveloped viruses, and
– Fungal spores.
• They are effective at preventing illness in individuals,
when used both before and after exposure to the infective
agent.
• They could be used:
– Topically,
– As an inhalant.
Antimicrobial Nanoemulsion
• Left: treated with
nanoemulsion,
• Right: untreated.
• The growth of
bacteria colonies
has been eliminated
by treatment with
nanoemulsion.
Gene Transfer
• G-5 dendrimers of
Poly(amidoamine)
• The dendrimer is acetyladed
to increase solubility.
• Fluorescein is incorporated
onto the dendrimer for
imaging in vivo.
• Folic acid is then conjugated
as targeting agent.
• The final step is to conjugate
the therapeutic drug.
Gene Transfer
• Into cardiovascular tissues for treatment.
• Use of dendrimer/DNA complexes
– Uniform size, high density, soluble,
stable.
• Direct injection or intracoronary
delivery.
Enhanced expression of beta-galactosidase in electroporated
nonvascularized grafts.
A. Graft treated as in group 12, Figure 1.
B. Graft treated as in group 4, Figure 1.
(Original magnification
40).