Armed with a new NIH grant, UD's Day Lab targets difficult-to-treat diseases with breakthrough therapies

The University of Delaware's Day Lab, led by associate professor Emily Day, is conducting innovative research on high-precision therapies using unique nanoparticles. With a recent R35 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the lab aims to advance the design and use of nanoparticles for managing various diseases, including cancers, blood disorders, and reproductive health conditions. The lab specializes in developing nanomaterials with properties that allow them to target specific cells, evade immune detection and deliver therapeutic cargo effectively. The focus is on understanding the interaction of these nanoparticles with cells and tissues to improve the study, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases.

What sets Day's group apart is its ability to bridge the gap between fundamental research and practical applications in nanomedicine. The lab received an NIH Maximizing Investigators' Research Award (MIRA) to support their research for five years, providing stability and flexibility to pursue breakthroughs in overcoming biological barriers to nanoparticle delivery. Key research questions include understanding protein corona-mediated immune clearance and how nanoparticles cross blood vessel walls, addressing challenges in particle distribution and targeting. Overcoming these barriers could significantly enhance the clinical impact of nanomedicine and improve the treatment of various diseases.

While the lab's research is fundamental, its implications extend broadly across the field of nanomedicine. The discoveries made, particularly in membrane-wrapping research, may have applications in enhancing the effectiveness of treatments, such as mRNA COVID vaccines, by preventing clearance from the body.

Researchers are hopeful that their work will contribute to advancements in targeted therapies, making them more widely available for various diseases.

To arrange an interview with Day, visit her profile and click the "contact" button.