Targeted Nanoparticle Drug Delivery

Iron oxide nanorod cellular uptake visualization

This project investigates the fundamental mechanisms of cellular uptake for iron oxide nanorods, with applications in targeted drug delivery and therapeutic interventions.

Research Focus

Nanoparticle shape plays a crucial role in determining cellular uptake efficiency and mechanisms. This project specifically examines:

  • Shape-dependent uptake pathways for iron oxide nanorods
  • Cellular interaction mechanisms at the nano-bio interface
  • Optimization strategies for enhanced drug delivery efficiency

Key Findings

  • Demonstrated significant shape-dependent variations in cellular uptake rates
  • Identified specific endocytic pathways involved in nanorod internalization
  • Established design principles for optimized therapeutic nanoparticles

Clinical Applications

The research has direct implications for:

  • Cancer therapy: Targeted delivery to tumor cells
  • Imaging applications: Enhanced contrast agents for MRI
  • Personalized medicine: Tailored nanoparticle designs for specific therapeutic needs

This work has been published in Nanoscale and contributes to the rational design of next-generation nanomedicines.

Rory
Rory
PhD Student

I am a PhD student in Biomedical Engineering at Duke University, supervised by Dr. Dan Ma. I recently completed dual majors in Applied Mathematics and Biology at Emory University. My research interests focus on quantitative MRI and deep learning for medical imaging, especially MR fingerprinting and reconstruction. Feel free to reach out at any time!