Biomaterials and drug delivery carriers (core technologies): We are developing highly biocompatible materials, which are biologically inert or immunomodulatory using both rational design and combinatorial screening for controlled cell cultures, long-term implants and blood-contacting devices. We are developing low-immunogenicity, highly effective and targeted viral and non-viral carriers for drug and gene delivery for the delivery of RNAs, DNAs, proteins and small molecules where zwitterionic materials play a critical role to achieve unique capabilities.

Cancer and neurological, infectious, autoimmune diseases (translational): We focus on developing cancer prevention and treatment vaccines in collaborations with Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell Vet School, The Hospital for Sick Children and Houston Methodist Cancer Center and addressing several key issues encountered in cancer immunotherapy and vaccine – (a) toxicity, (b) off-targeting, (c) biological barriers such as blood-brain barriers, mucus, and cellular/solid tumor barriers, and (d) immunity around the tumor microenvironment. Other applications include the treatment of neurological, infectious, and autoimmune diseases.

iPSCs, organoids, implants and devices (translational): We focus on (a) controlled cultures of iPSCs and organoids in background-noise-free culture media with specific chemical, biological and mechanical clues; (b) capsule-free long-term implants; (c) anticoagulant-free blood-contacting devices in collaborations with Weill Cornell Medicine and other on- and off-campus researchers.

Immunology (basic): We integrate immunology with biomaterials to understand how our immune systems respond to nanomaterials and implanted materials and to design rationally biological inert or immunomodulating materials.

Functional polymers, peptides and lipids via chemical synthesis and genetic engineering (basic): We are designing and synthesizing monomers, polymers, polypeptides and lipids from organic/polymer synthesis, solid-state peptide synthesis or genetic engineering in E coli, phage, yeast, and mammalian cells.