Our Research
There are two major problems faced in biotechnological drug development: 1) lack of transport for biologics across the blood-brain-barrier (BBB), and 2) lack of oral bioavailability of large therapeutic peptides. The BBB is virtually impenetrable for large biomolecules, and delivery of protein drugs orally is impeded by digestion in the GI tract. In partnership with the lab of Wayne Lencer, MD we are developing a platform technology for next in class oral biologic drugs and for diseases affecting the brain that are not effective with current small molecule drugs.
New therapeutics to effectively treat lysosomal diseases require both the transport of drug to affected vital organs (such as the heart, kidney, vascular endothelium and brain), and the ability to transport to the lysosome within cells. The lab also engages industry partners to help accelerate technology toward proof of concept by employing a broad range of disciplines, from organic chemistry to in vivo biology. Understanding these processes will aid in the development of next-in-class biotherapeutics that can cross highly-selective cellular barriers.
Lab members
Daniel Chinnapen, PhD
Principal Investigator
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School
Affiliated: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Chemistry
Rick Duclos, PhD University of California Berkeley
Interests: Rick is a synthetic organic chemist / biochemist primarily known for syntheses of sphingolipids and glycerolipids, including the endocannabinoids. He is interested in the molecular organization of lipids in vitro and in vivo, including cellular lipid metabolism. He is investigating at the role of sphingolipid structure on cellular endosomal trafficking of novel bioconjugates.
Michael Rufo
BS, Trinity University
Interests: Mike is interested in translating novel lipid-based chemical conjugates to in vivo drug delivery systems. Specifically the delivery of peptides and proteins across mucosal surfaces such as the GI tract and nose as a new mode of treatment.
Elvira Sandin
Visiting Graduate Student – University of Lübeck
Interests: I am a PhD student visiting from Prof. Dr. Markus Schwaningers lab in Lubeck, Germany. I am interested in the role of the blood-brain barrier in obesity. I specifically focus on how leptin, a hormone secreted from the fat cells, is transported across the blood-brain barrier and how this may influence feeding behavior.
Xiaoling Chen
BS, UMass Amherst
Currently: UMass- Worcester
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Lab Alumni
Elisha Fielding, PhD
Postdoc: Scripps Institute, CA
Currently: GreenLight Biosciences, MA
Maria Daniela Garcia-Castillo, PhD
Research Fellow: Co-mentored with Wayne Lencer, MD
PhD, Institut Curie, France
Currently: Eli Lilly & Co
Michele Pacheco
BS, Northeastern University
Valerie Kahkejian
Harvard University Student
BS, Harvard College
Emma Chistolini
Summer Research Student 2017, 2018
Paul Mykos
BS, Northeastern University
Co-op Student 2017
Alexander Losher
MS Chemistry, Belarus State University
Research Technologist