drug delivery TO and within THE BRAIN

Due to its highly selective properties, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) represents a substantial obstacle for drug delivery to the central nervous system (CNS). Many strategies have been employed to improve drug penetration through the BBB, ranging from non-invasive (e.g. “trojan horse” antibodies that co-opt receptor-mediated transcytosis pathways) to highly invasive (e.g. focused ultrasound, intrathecal injection). All of these strategies have pros and cons, but none has proven to be a “magic bullet.” We have begun to think about a new approach for overcoming the BBB: targeting natural leakage pathways that occur gradually in aging and more abruptly after acute injury. Our versatile suite of nanocarriers is currently being deployed in various animal models to determine brain uptake and therapeutic efficacy.

Relevant contacts

Alex Sorets, Adam Abdulrahman, Sarah Lyons, Alex Ligocki

Relevant publications

Caveolae-mediated transport at the injured blood-brain barrier as an underexplored pathway for central nervous system drug delivery

Albumin-binding aptamer chimeras for improved siRNA bioavailability