Leader:Mohi Quadir
Project Title: Spatially Controlled, Combination Drug Delivery Platform using stimuli-responsive Polymersomes 

Clinical success in the treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) critically hinges on addressing a set of mutually connected, yet compartmentalized, pathology that includes mature and differentiated cancer cells, cancer-like stem cells, activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) and a dense, and desmoplastic stroma. The long-term goal for Quadir Groupis to design multi-stage, combination drug-delivery nanocarriers for targeted cancer therapy, which will differentially respond to specific intracellular targets. We are using nanoparticle technology to attain our goal. By using designer block copolymers, and dendritic polymers, we will develop polymersomes and vesicles in the size range of 50-150 nanometers that can encapsulate frontline anticancer agents. The system will be engineered to respond differentially to specific cellular biochemistry, thereby releasing active drugs into different disease compartments responsible for the poor prognosis of pancreatic cancer.