Technology Development Core
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- January 29, 2021 / Article
S.Nagrath Lab develops new microfluidic chip to capture and investigate exosomes
The Sunitha Nagrath lab reports on their work to capture natural killer cells and harvest exosomes to investigate their potential for battling cancer cells.
- January 14, 2021 / Press Release
BI Startup EVOQ Therapeutics inks agreement with Amgen
Under this license and collaboration agreement, EVOQ and Amgen will work on discovery and development of drugs for autoimmune disorders.
- January 1, 2021 / Article
Anna Schwendeman Promoted
Congratulations to Anna Schwendeman on being named the William I. Higuchi Collegiate Professor of Pharmacy!
Our Anna Schwendeman Promoted Researchers
Anna Schwendeman
William I. Higuchi Collegiate Professor of Pharmacy and Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences,Director of Formulation and Translation Core Contact Information:annaschw@umich.edu
Schwendeman’s principal research interest is to understand how phospholipid composition of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) affects its potency and to design short synthetic peptides that mimic various functions of Apolipoprotein A-I, the main HDL protein. Laboratory work focuses on HDL for treatment of sepsis, Alzheimer’s disease, complications of diabetes, lupus and other autoimmune diseases and using synthetic HDL nanoparticles for targeted drug delivery purposes and designing artificial HDL based on gold nanoparticles.
Maureen Sartor
Associate Professor of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, Department of Biostatistics Contact Information:sartorma@umich.eduResearch interests in the Sartor lab include developing statistical and bioinformatics methods for analysis and interpretation of high throughput regulatory and epigenomics data. Her research focuses on cancer epigenomics, particularly oral squamous cell carcinomas. Early work focused on the analysis of microarray data. Recent work includes methods for analyzing ChIP-Seq data with replicates (PePr), functionally interpreting ChIP-seq results (ChIP-Enrich and Broad-Enrich), and testing for differentially methylated CpG sites from bisulfite sequencing data (methylSig).
Arvind Rao
Associate Professor, Department of Computational Medicine & Bioinformatics, Radiation Oncology Contact Information:ukarvind@umich.eduThe Rao lab works at the intersection of genomics and image informatics, across biological scale (cells, tissue and organ). Dr. Rao’s group is interested in developing multi-modal decision algorithms that link and integrate various measurements (imaging, genomics etc) to characterize disease. Their algorithms for phenotypic measurements encompass data from 2D/3D microscopy, radiology and histopathology.
Sriram Venneti
Associate Professor of Pathology and Pediatrics Contact Information:svenneti@med.umich.eduDr. Venneti is a clinician-scientist who specializes in Neuropathology and the biology of brain cancer. Dr. Venneti’s research interests lie in understanding the biology of brain tumors in adults and children. The projects in the lab are highly translational and focus on integrating epigenetics, cancer metabolism and in vivo imaging techniques to investigate pathogenic mechanisms in adult and pediatric brain tumors.
James Moon
John G. Searle Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biomedical Engineering Contact Information:moonjj@umich.eduThe Moon Group develops therapeutics and diagnostics at the interface of immunology and engineering. Research addresses drug delivery systems for enhancing delivery of antigen and adjuvant to lymphoid organs and manipulating immune functions in the context of cancer, infectious diseases, and autoimmunity.
Dr. Xu’s research focuses on developing new ultrasound technique for treatment of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological diseases. She and her colleagues have developed histotripsy, an ultrasound ablation technique via controlled cavitation. Histotripsy is the first image-guided ablation technique that is non-invasive, non-ionizing, and non-thermal. Dr. Xu’s work spans from basic science, device development, preclinical investigations, to clinical translation of histotripsy.
The Nagrath lab focuses on both experimental and theoretical aspects of Cellular and Molecular Tissue Engineering, Metabolic Engineering, and Biomedicine with emphasis on clinical applications. Our research interests lie in the systems biology of metabolic diseases, specifically cancer.
Brian Shay
Research Lab Specialist Lead in Dr. Anna Schwendeman’s lab Contact Information:bjshay@umich.eduDr. Shay is a seasoned analytical chemist with a specialty in mass spectrometry and chemical analysis, with experience spanning academia and industry. Starting with a Ph.D. from Purdue University, he has held roles at the University of Michigan, Wayne State University, Waters Corporation, and Unilever Research U.S. Most recently, he joined the University of Michigan’s College of Pharmacy in 2022, overseeing research in drug formulations. Previously, he managed a mass spectrometry facility and contributed to analytical chemistry research in various capacities. Dr. Shay’s career has been marked by his expertise in instrument maintenance, method development, and training researchers in advanced analytical techniques.
Dr. Camelo-Piragua’s research interests are focused on understanding molecular mechanisms of brain tumors and clinicopathologic correlation of neuromuscular disorders.
Anuska Andjelkovic-Zochowska
Professor of Pathology and Research Professor, Neurosurgery Contact Information:anuskaa@med.umich.eduDr. Andjelkovic-Zochowska’s research focuses on the molecular basis of inflammation in the central nervous system, particularly inflammatory molecular events at the blood brain barrier.
Lei Mei
Research Investigator in Dr. Anna Schwendeman’s lab Contact Information:leimei@med.umich.eduDr. Lei Mei graduated in Chemistry from Hunan University in China and earned her PhD in Food Science from the University of Maryland, College Park, US. Her research focuses on formulation of lipid nanoparticle-based delivery systems for biological disorder disease treatment and cancer therapy. She is an expert in nanostructure analysis, specifically focused on safety, efficacy, and stability evaluation of lipid nanoparticles through physical and chemical analysis. She is currently a Research Investigator in the department of Pharmaceutical Science at the University of Michigan within Dr. Anna Schwendeman’s lab.
Peter Tessier
Albert M. Mattocks Professor of Pharmacy, Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Chemical Engineering Contact Information:ptessier@umich.eduThe Tessier lab aims to develop next generation technologies for designing, discovering, engineering, characterizing, formulating and delivering biologics ranging from small affinity peptides to large monoclonal antibodies for molecular imaging, diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
Pedro Lowenstein
Richard C. Schneider Collegiate Professor of Neurosurgery,Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology,
Director of High-Plex Immunocytochemistry Core
Contact Information:pedrol@med.umich.edu
The focus of my research program is to discover the cellular, molecular, and neuroanatomical basis underlying the growth patterns of malignant brain tumors, and the interactions between cancer cells with the tumor microenvironment, in both experimental models and in human patients suffering from malignant brain tumors. To do so, we are probing how brain glioma cells migrate throughout the brain and eventually kill the hosts’ neurons and glial cells. Understanding the precise molecular basis of glioma tumor cell growth and invasive behavior will uncover novel therapeutic targets aiming at inactivating the essential mechanisms used by tumors to grow and destroy normal brain tissue and, thus, kill the host. We are studying very early stages of tumor pattern formation using fluorescently labeled glioma cells in combination with advanced in vivo multiphoton imaging technologies. The new information will lead to the development of novel therapeutics for malignant glioma. We have focused on understanding the mechanisms by which the common glioma matrix protein Collagen I modulates tumor and immune function. My lab is also investigating how the interactions of collagen with the specific collagen receptor LAIR-1 modulate glioma malignant behavior, and the complex interactions of the ECM with infiltrating immune cells.
Gary Luker
Professor of Radiology, Biomedical Engineering, Microbiology and Immunology Contact Information:gluker@med.umich.eduThe Luker lab studies functions of cell signaling in primary and metastatic cancer. Our multidisciplinary group combines expertise in medicine, biology, and engineering to uncover the mechanisms by which biochemical events in the tumor microenvironment, including chemokine signaling, metabolic regulation, and extracellular matrix interactions regulate the disease progression and response to therapy.
Dr. Zhao’s research interests focused on the use of innovative statistical methodologies in biomedical research. As a co-investigator on numerous NIH and foundation-funded studies, she has adapted methodologies, including Bayesian data analysis, causal inference, generalized linear models, longitudinal data analysis, multivariate analysis, survival data analysis and machine learning methods, in response to the unique needs of individual studies and objectives without compromising the integrity of the research and results.
Maria Castro
Program Director. R. C. Schneider Collegiate Professor of NeurosurgeryProfessor, Cell and Developmental Biology Contact Information:mariacas@med.umich.edu
Research in the Castro lab focuses on epigenetic regulation of cancer progression, uncovering the role of oncometabolites in the brain tumor microenvironment (TME), and the development of new therapies for adult and pediatric gliomas, including DIPG. We are investigating the role of the tumor immune-microenvironment in tumor progression and response to therapeutics, crosstalk between cancer cells and hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells, and mechanisms affecting the migration of immune cells from peripheral lymphoid organs to the tumor microenvironment.
Areas of primary interest to the Neamati laboratory include 1) structure- and ligand-based drug design, 2) cellular and molecular pharmacology, and 3) preclinical drug development. Recently, we have discovered a series of promising small-molecule compounds and are performing in-depth preclinical pharmacology evaluation in anticipation for their translation into clinical studies.
Anzar Abdul Mujeeb
Postdoctoral Fellow, High-Plex Immunocytochemistry Core Contact Information:amujeeb@med.umich.eduDr. Anzar Abdul Mujeeb completed his B.S in Biochemistry from AMU, Aligarh, India. He continued his education at Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit, AMU, India, first with an M.S in Biotechnology under the supervision of Prof. Asad U Khan, followed by a Ph.D. in Molecular Immunology under the supervision of Prof. M. Owais, investigating the role of cytokines in establishment and survival of intracellular pathogen in the host. He was awarded Research fellowships in Life Science by the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), India, and Dept. of Biotechnology (DBT), Govt. of India, India.
Anzar joined the Castro-Lowenstein team in January 2021 as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to study the pro and anti-tumor mechanisms mediated by genes involved in autophagy, DNA damage repair (DDR), and immune mechanisms of gliomas. Currently, he is working on neuro immuno-oncology which involves uncovering the role of the mIDH1, CXCR4/CXCL12, and DDR signaling in glioma. His goal is to establish the basis of a new treatment regimen for gliomas based on manipulating the immune, DNA damage repair, and autophagic mechanisms in glioma, leading to novel immunotherapeutic approaches which could be translated into the clinical trials.
Guizhi (Julian) Zhu
Ara G. Paul Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical ScienceContact Information:guizhiz@umich.edu
Dr. Zhu’s lab focuses on the development of nucleic acid therapeutics and vaccines for cancer and immune disorders.
Greg Thurber
Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering Contact Information:gthurber@umich.eduThe Thurber lab is focused on designing new molecular imaging agents and uses a joint theoretical and experimental approach, applying fundamental chemical engineering principles, to utilize models while developing new imaging agents and measuring their properties and distribution. The lab research interest also extends to quantitative pharmacology.
Dr. Kim is a leader in brain tumor clinical research and involved with efforts institutionally, regionally and nationally. Her primary focus is on the use of advanced imaging modalities as a biomarker to understand the biologic basis of tumor response and treatment resistance to radiation therapy, in order to individually adapt radiation treatment and improve outcome in patients with malignant gliomas.
Dr. Wahl is a physician scientist at the University of Michigan specializing in cancers of the central nervous system. His research focuses on the development of new treatment strategies for brain tumors and his laboratory group is especially interested in interactions between radiation and abnormal metabolism in glioblastoma. In the clinic, he cares for a wide variety of patients with both malignant and benign tumors of the central nervous system.
The Nagrath lab research focuses on developing integrated nano- and microfluidic technologies for understanding cell trafficking in cancer through isolation, characterization, and the study of circulating tumor cells in peripheral blood of cancer patients.
Karin Muraszko
Professor of Neurosurgery, Pediatrics, Plastic Surgery Contact Information:karinm@umich.eduDr. Muraszko specializes in pediatric neurosurgery. She is board certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgeons, and is a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) along with several pediatric professional associations. Her research interests include Immunotoxin therapy for brain tumors, the biology of brain tumors, Chiari malformations, craniofacial anomalies, congenital anomalies of the brain and spine and hydrocephalus.
The Hara laboratory is focused on the study of understanding the intratumoral heterogeneity as well as the mechanisms of cellular communication within this intratumoral microenvironment as it relates to glioblastoma. We work at the intersection of human biology, model system, and single-cell genomics to understand how cells interact and communicate with their surrounding environment and how cells process environmental inputs to exert functions relevant to the malignant properties of glioblastoma.
Steven Schwendeman
Program Director. Chair and Ara G. Paul Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences Contact Information:schwende@umich.eduThe Schwendeman lab focuses on understanding the physical chemistry and engineering of PLGA and related delivery systems, aqueous microencapsulation of large molecules in biodegradable polymers, stability of peptides and proteins, vaccine delivery, tissue engineering, and local/regional drug delivery to the eye, brain, head and neck, and diabetic wounds.
Jason Heth
Associate Professor of Neurosurgery and Associate Professor of Otolaryngology Contact Information:jheth@med.umich.eduDr. Heth specializes in brain tumor treatment, including surgical removal, radiosurgery, and basic research. His primary areas of interest focus on gliomas, glioblastoma, brain metastasis, and meningiomas. He is also involved in medical student education and quality improvement programs at the University of Michigan.
Wajd N. Al-Holou
Clinical Assistant Professor, Neurological Surgery Contact Information:wna@umich.eduDr. Al-Holou specializes in the management of complex brain tumors, primarily focusing on gliomas and metastases to the brain. Dr. Al-Holou has expertise in the use of awake mapping techniques, microsurgery, and image-guidance to maximize tumor removal in the safest possible manner. He also specializes in the management of meningiomas and spinal tumors.
Karl oversees laboratory safety operations and helps managing the Formulation and Translation Core.
Joerg Lahann
Wolfgang Pauli Collegiate Professor of Chemical Engineering; Biointerfaces Institute Director Contact Information:lahann@umich.eduResearch in the Lahann Lab focuses on surface engineering, advanced polymers, biomimetic materials, engineered stem cell microenvironments, drug delivery, and nano-scale self-assembly.
Sofia D. Merajver
Professor, EpidemiologyProfessor, Department of Internal Medicine
Director, Breast and Ovarian Cancer Risk and Evaluation Program. Contact Information:smerajve@med.umich.edu
Dr. Sofia Diana Merajver, an expert in breast cancer genetics, is the medical director of the Breast and Ovarian Cancer Risk Evaluation Program at the U-M Rogel Cancer Center. Dr. Merajver’s research laboratory is devoted to understanding the molecular and metabolic regulators of very aggressive breast cancer types. The primary areas of focus are systems biology, mathematical oncology, biophysics, cell biology, genetics, and drug development.
Molly West
Research Lab Specialist Senior, Manager of Multiplex Immunocytochemistry Core Contact Information:meethm@med.umich.eduDr. Molly West is a Research Lab Specialist developing workflows for the acquisition and analysis of multiplex immunofluorescence images from the Akoya PhenoCycler-Fusion. Prior to her work with the Castro-Lowenstein Laboratory, Molly was a senior laboratory technician at the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory & University of Wyoming Biocontainment Facility working on pathogen sequencing and genomics. She holds a BS and MS in Biology from University of Michigan and Bowling Green State University, respectively.
Arul Chinnaiyan
S.P. Hicks Endowed Professor of Pathology and Professor of Urology; Director, Michigan Center for Translational Pathology Contact Information:arul@med.umich.eduDr. Chinnaiyan’s research has focused on functional genomic and bioinformatics approaches to study cancer for the purposes of understanding cancer biology as well as to discover clinical biomarkers. His group has characterized a number of important biomarkers of prostate cancer including AMACR, EZH2, the sarcosine metabolite, and most recently the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) Schlap1.
Dr. Junck’s practice focuses on brain tumors and neurological complications of cancer. He is regarded as an expert in treating neurosarcoidosis. In addition to his clinical work, he is a teacher of neurology and neuro-oncology, and he conducts clinical research studies on patients with brain tumors.
Recipient of the Outstanding Clinician Award from University of Michigan Medical School in 2006, Dr. Junck serves on the CNS Panel of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network of the National Cancer Institute, which establishes standard treatments for brain tumors and complications of cancer.
He has published 207 scientific articles and 209 book chapters and other publications.
Dr. Todd Hollon is a neurosurgeon specializing in the treatment of brain tumors. Dr. Hollon is the principal investigator of the Machine Learning in Neurosurgery Laboratory (MLiNS) at Michigan Medicine. His research includes the use of computer science and artificial intelligence to improve the diagnosis and treatment of patients with brain tumors.
Richard Keep
Crosby-Kahn Collegiate Professor of Neurosurgery and Neuroanatomy; Professor, Molecular and Integrative Physiology Contact Information:rkeep@umich.eduDr. Keep’s primary interests focus on the blood-brain and blood-CSF barriers (the tissue interfaces between the brain and blood) and on stroke. In particular, he has interest in how pathological conditions affect the blood-brain barriers, how the barriers can be protected by techniques such as preconditioning, the normal physiological functions of the barrier tissues and drug transport between blood and brain.