research
Bioresponsive materials

Nanomedicine is such an exciting field because it promises to revolutionize pharmacological therapies, eliminating side effects and drastically reducing dosages
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Light-controlled materials

Nanomaterials that allow scientists to control the delivery of molecules through light would truly transform biomedical research, allowing any signaling pathway
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Next-generation diagnostic imaging agents

Medical imaging technology detects structural changes, like those caused by tumors that have grown enough to induce rearrangements in surrounding organs.
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Smart vaccines

Polymeric nanoparticles hold tremendous power to improve the efficacy of protein or nucleic acid-based vaccines.
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Tissue engineering

While growing tissues in a dish sounds like something out of a science fiction movie, it’s actually the goal of a rapidly growing and advancing field.
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In vivo regeneration

The human heart responds to the loss of muscle by forming scar tissue, few researchers ever considered the possibility that the heart could be induced.

About CEN

The Center of Excellence in Nanomedicine (CEN) develops novel nano- and biomaterials that will enable the future of biological research and medicine. CEN researchers seek to create tools that enable studies and therapies to take place in ways that few dare to imagine, in which imaging signals turn on only in the presence of specific disease cues, or implanted materials integrate seamlessly with host tissue.

In the News

Zhang group’s primitive neural stem cells show promise for spinal cord injury repair

Newly developed neural stem cells generate long neurons in injured spinal cord, suggesting they could restore sensation and autonomic function.

Karen Christman wins competitive NIH Transformative research grant

Grant will support development of nanoparticles that form a scaffold in ischemic tissue for post-heart attack regeneration.

Publications

Collective Activation of MRI Agents via Encapsulation and Disease-Triggered Release

Viger ML, Sankaranarayanan J, de Gracia Lux C, Chan M, Almutairi A.

Intramolecular Cyclization for Stimuli-Controlled Depolymerization of Polycaprolactone Particles

de Gracia Lux C, Almutairi A.