We design highly specific drug delivery platforms for cancer and amyloid therapeutics.
The Challenge
Despite continuing advances in the development of macromolecules, such as proteins and oligonucleotides, for therapeutic purposes, the successful application of these largely hydrophilic molecules has so far been hampered by their inability to efficiently bypass the plasma membrane. Another major drawback hindering the successful application of these therapeutics is their lack of target specificity.
Our Approach
Our research team, based in NYU Abu Dhabi, is actively developing novel drug delivery systems – peptides, liposomes and nanoparticles – to enhance the targeting and cellular uptake of therapeutics in order to maximize their efficacy. We design novel hybrid nanoparticles that are a highly promising cancer drug delivery platform, combining high stability with effective tumor targeting and triggered release of chemotherapeutic agents in cancer cells.
The Science
We focus on three main areas of research: drug delivery, cancer therapeutics, and amyloid aggregation. We use biophysics and biochemistry to design effective therapeutic strategies and test them both in vitro and in vivo. Our recent projects combine all three major interests. Our interests continue to are to broader applications. Find out more in our research page.
Image: Adobe Express AI text-to-image generator, Maria Vogel
Research Highlights
Palanikumar L. et al Nat Comm (2021). Together with our collaborators, we develop and test a small molecule ADH-6 that inhibits p53 aggregation and decreases p53 tumor growth in mice.
Palanikumar, L., Al-Hosani, S., Kalmouni, M. et al. Commun Biol 3, 95 (2020). We design pH-sensitive nanoparticles that effectively target cancer cells for specific chemotherapeutic delivery.
Magzoub Lab
Experimental Research Building (ERB)
NYU Abu Dhabi
Saadiyat Island Campus
P.O. Box 129188
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 2 628 4760
Fax: +971 2 659 07 91