Alexandra Piotrowski-Daspit, PhD
Breathing New Life: Tailored Gene Delivery to Lung Cells
Summary
Our lungs are vital for life, but many diseases, such as the genetic condition cystic fibrosis, compromise their ability to function. My research focuses on developing engineered biodegradable materials that can carry therapeutics directly to the afflicted lung cells. This innovative technology uses tiny, specially designed nanoparticles that can bypass the body’s natural defenses. Once these carriers reach the lungs, they can release their gene therapy payloads into the cells, ideally correcting the root cause of the underlying genetic disease. Our goal is to refine this technique, modifying our nanoparticles to target specific lung cells impacted by disease while minimizing off-target effects and improving efficiency. The success of this approach could revolutionize how we treat lung diseases, leading to effective therapies with fewer side effects and improved patient outcomes.
