Presenter: Prof. Ke Zhang (Northeastern University)
Topic: Teaching Old Oligos New Tricks� A Macromolecular Approach
Time: 11:15 AM, Jul. 12th (Tuesday)
Location: Conference Room B, BLDG909-1F
Abstract
The promise of using nucleic acid as therapeutic materials is beinggradually realized. However, the rate of this realization is too slow, hamperedby poor biopharmaceutical properties of naked nucleic acids and the lack ofappropriate synthetic carriers. This presentation will focus on the developmentof new methods for transferring genetic materials to cells usingnon-electrostatic complexation strategies. The new systems rely upon thearrangement of oligonucleotides and/or polymer strands, which, among many properties,provides the oligonucleotide with steric selectivity towards complementarystrands vs. proteins. We have also applied the lessons learned from thisapproach to the design of new structures for many other applications such asself-assembly and drug/DNA co-delivery.
Biography
Dr. Ke Zhang obtained his BS degreein 2005 in Applied Chemistry from Nanjing University of Technology, China. Hethen studied polymer chemistry with Prof. Karen Wooley at Washington Universityin St. Louis focusing on shell-crosslinked knedel-like nanoparticles and genedelivery, and obtained a PhD in Chemistry in 2009. Thereafter, Dr. Zhang was apostdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of Prof. Chad Mirkin at NorthwesternUniversity to develop hollow spherical nucleic acids, a carrier-free platformfor gene regulation. In 2012, Dr. Zhang joined Northeastern University as anassistant professor. His current research includes the design and synthesis ofunique polymer superstructures, nucleic acid-polymer conjugates, and drugdelivery.
Contact:Prof. Lichen Yin
(责任编辑：张伶 邮箱：462696345@qq.com)
