Creating engineered exosomes for targeted therapy
Reprogramming Exosomes for Biomedical Applications
This study is working on a new way to improve tiny cell messengers called exosomes, which could help deliver treatments more effectively to specific cells in the body, aiming to make therapies better for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-10877064 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new technology to enhance the therapeutic potential of exosomes, which are tiny vesicles that facilitate communication between cells. The team aims to genetically and chemically modify these exosomes to carry specific proteins and target them to desired cells and tissues more effectively. By using advanced techniques in protein engineering and synthetic chemistry, they plan to create a versatile platform called SMART-Exos that can improve how exosomes deliver therapeutic agents to cells, potentially leading to better treatment outcomes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research would include patients with conditions that could benefit from targeted therapies, such as cancer or autoimmune diseases.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have conditions that require targeted cellular therapies may not receive any benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective therapies for various diseases by improving the delivery of treatments directly to target cells.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in using engineered exosomes for targeted drug delivery, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, UNITED STATES
- University of Southern California — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Yong — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Yong
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.