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Hamid Ghandehari

Professor of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry and of Bioengineering

B.S. University of Utah

Ph.D. University of Utah

Research

References

hamid.ghandehari@pharm.utah.edu

Hamid Ghandehari's Lab Page

Hamid Ghandehari's PubMed Literature Search

Research

The main focus of research in our laboratory is the development of novel methods for controlled delivery of bioactive agents. Four areas are being explored:

1. Genetically engineered polymers for gene delivery: Recombinant DNA technology has enabled the synthesis of protein-based polymers with precisely controlled structures. Control over polymer structure at the molecular level has important implications for controlled delivery applications. The potential of recombinant silk-elastinlike protein polymers (SELPs) for matrix-mediated gene delivery is being explored. The idea is that by using recombinant techniques it is possible to systematically correlate polymer structure with gene release and transfer. Our main focus is on gene therapy applications in the treatment of head and neck cancer. For a recent article see [J.Gustafson, K. Greish, J. Frandsen, J. Cappello, H. Ghandehari, Silk-elastinlike recombinant polymers for gene therapy of head and neck cancer: From molecular definiation to controlled gene expression, Journal of Controlled Release, Epub ahead of print]. This research topic was also highlighted in a recent issue of Controlled Release Society Newsletter (Vol. 26, No. 2, 2009).

2. Water-soluble polymers for targeted delivery: Targeted delivery of bioactive agents by water soluble polymers can increase efficacy and reduce toxicity. The synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation of targetable N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA) copolymers for targeted delivery to angiogenic blood vessels of solid tumors are being investigated. By tailor-making the size and charge of these copolymers it is possible to alter biodistribution and minimize uptake by nontarget organs. Similar polymeric systems have been evaluated for targeted delivery of antileishmanial and magnetic resonance contrast agents. For a recent article see [M. Borgman, A. Ray, R. Kolhatkar, E. Sausville, A. Burger, H. Ghandehari, Targetable HPMA Copolymer-Aminohexylgeldanamycin Conjugates for Prostate Cancer Therapy, Pharmaceutical Research, Vol. 26, No. 6, pp. 1407-1418, 2009].

3. Poly (amidoamine) dendrimers for oral delivery: Due to their large size water soluble polymers generally need to be administered intravenously. It would be desirable to develop polymeric carriers that are orally bioavailable. Nano-scale poly (amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers of appropriate size and charge can be transported across the gastrointestinal epithelial cells with minimal or no toxicity. The influence of variables such as size, geometry, charge, surface functionality and drug loading on the mechanism and rate of transport of PAMAM dendrimers across epithelial barriers is under investigation. For a recent article see [D. Sweet, R. Kolhatkar, P. Swaan, H. Ghandehari, Transepithelial Transport of PEGylated Anionic Poly (amidoamine) Dendrimers: Implications for Oral Drug Delivery, Journal of Controlled Release, Vol. 138, pp. 78-85, 2009].

4. Inorganic nanoconstructs for controlled chemical delivery: Recent advances in nanotechnology have enabled the fabrication of inorganic nanoconstructs with defined shape, size, and surface functionality. Examples of such constructs include inorganic nanotubes and nanoparticles. Our laboratory as part of a Nanoscale Interdisciplinary Research Team (NIRT) funded by the National Science Foundation is working on constructing inorganic-polymer hybrid nanoconstructs responsive to external stimuli for controlled chemical delivery. Another effort is directed at evaluating the influence of geometry and surface functionality on biocompatibility and biodistribution of silica nanotubes, spherical silica nanoparticles and poly amido amine dendrimers. For a recent book chapter see [A.J. Gormley, and H. Ghandehari, Evaluation of Toxicity of Nanostructures in Biological Systems, in Nanotoxicity-From In Vivo and In Vitro Models to Health Risks, S. Sahu (Ed), Wiley, pp 115-159, 2009].

References