RESEARCH AREAS
One-step selection of 'chemical antibody' using HAS
Aptamers are “chemical antibodies” with great potential for various applications where antibodies are used. However, traditional methods for aptamer selection are time-consuming and labor-intensive. Our lab has developed a totally new concept for aptamer discovery, i.e., hydrogel for aptamer selection (HAS). HAS allows us to select aptamers in a single step only taking 60 hours.
Representative Paper:
Singh, N. K.; Wang, Y.; Wen, C.; Davis, B.; Wang, X.; Lee, K.; Wang, Y. High-Affinity One-Step Aptamer Selection Using a Non-Fouling Porous Hydrogel. Nature Biotechnology 2023. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41587-023-01973-8.
Protein Delivery for Regenerative Medicine and Immunotherapy Using Aptamer Functionalized Hydrogel
Our lab has pioneered the development of programmable tissue-like aptamer-functionalized hydrogels for on-demand protein drug release. Now we are using this emerging class of biomaterials for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. We are also tuning these biomaterials for the treatment of cancer and diabetes.
Representative Paper:
1. Abune, L.; Wang, Y. Affinity Hydrogels for Protein Delivery. Trends in Pharmacological Sciences 2021, 42 (4), 300–312. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tips.2021.01.005.
2. Battig, M. R.; Soontornworajit, B.; Wang, Y. Programmable Release of Multiple Protein Drugs from Aptamer-Functionalized Hydrogels via Nucleic Acid Hybridization. Journal of the American Chemical Society 2012, 134 (30), 12410–12413. https://doi.org/10.1021/ja305238a.
Cell Delivery Using Biomimetic Cell Wall & Extracellular Matrix
We are developing new tools for cell functionalization. In particular, we apply nucleic acids to synthesize programmable nanostructures to engineer the cell surface. Engineered cells will acquire more powerful functions than their natural counterparts and hold great potential for regenerative medicine, cancer treatment, drug delivery, etc. Engineered cells can also be tuned for biomanufacturing.
Representative Paper:
1.Lee, K.; Davis, B.; Wang, X.; Mirg, S.; Wen, C.; Abune, L.; Peterson, B. E.; Han, L.; Chen, H.; Wang, H.; Szczesny, S. E.; Lei, Y.; Kothapalli, S. R.; Wang, Y. Nanoparticle‐Decorated Biomimetic Extracellular Matrix for Cell Nanoencapsulation and Regulation. Angewandte Chemie International Edition 2023, 62 (31). https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202306583.
2. Shi, P.; Zhao, N.; Coyne, J.; Wang, Y. DNA-Templated Synthesis of Biomimetic Cell Wall for Nanoencapsulation and Protection of Mammalian Cells. Nature Communications 2019, 10 (1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-10231-y.