
This research area deals with the development and optimization of drugs, their optimal delivery and maintenance at their sites of action as well as with the molecular diagnostics of human diseases.
The study of physicochemical properties of drugs and interactions with their targets, the development of drug formulations, new materials and strategies for design and controlled delivery of drugs to enhance therapeutic activity, targeted radiotherapeutic agents and molecular imaging agents, are examples of areas under investigation. Activities also include the study of drug transport mechanisms across biological barriers as well as the study of their absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination, which are important determinants of their biologic activity. The development of new nanomaterials, synthetic biology approaches for disease diagnostic applications, biological therapeutics including viral vector-mediated gene therapy, and the delivery of precision medicine are emerging topics of interest.
Investigators
Research News
Image

Scientists discover new lipid nanoparticle that shows muscle-specific mRNA delivery, reduces off-target effects.
New study led by Assistant Professor Bowen Li makes significant contribution to generating tissue-specific ionizable lipids and prompts rethinking of mRNA vaccine design principles.
Read More
Image

Faces of PharmSci: Evan Amalfitano
Evan Amalfitano is working to develop low-cost biological assays to help make testing for certain diseases cheaper and more widely available.
Read More
Image

New research aims to improve PrEP knowledge and uptake among Indigenous Peoples
Assistant Professor Jaris Swidrovich will explore barriers to accessing HIV prevention drug and how health care providers can provide better care to Indigenous Peoples.
Read More