Center for RNA Therapeutics

The Taraballi Lab develops nano- and bio- materials, both injectable and implantable, to target the immune system toward tissue restoration. Their innovative nanotechnology platforms and biomaterials for drug delivery and regenerative medicine include biomaterials functionalization to target immune system, synthesis and functionalization of biomimetic nanoparticles to target and treat inflammatory conditions, biomimetic in vitro systems to study complex cancer environments, drug delivery system for the sustained release of proteins, cytokines, antibiotics and analgesics and smart materials development (injectable and implantable) to enhance surgical outcomes.

Explore the Francesca Taraballi Lab

The Godin Lab develops physiologically relevant in vitro and in vivo disease models, exploiting physical and biological mechanisms to improve therapeutics and diagnostics. The Godin lab develops advanced nanocarriers for oncotherapies, leveraging physical sciences in oncology and novel strategies to target tumor microenvironment. In addition, they develop nanovectors for improved treatment of infectious diseases and cardiovascular disorders.

Learn about the research the Godin lab is conducting

The Chen Lab elucidates mechanisms underlying the immune suppressive tumor microenvironments, a major impediment to the success of immune-based cancer therapies. They intend to overcome cancer cell resistance to immune and chemo-radiation therapies. They examine the mechanisms of immune suppression mediated by myeloid derived suppressor cells, macrophages, B cells and T regulatory cells. In addition, they examine novel immune checkpoint pathways that influence tumor growth, receptor/ligand interaction and the tumor microenvironment. Currently they are developing novel therapeutic agents that effectively target tumors or tumor stromal cells, increasing local antigen priming and T cell activation/infiltration for subsequent immunotherapy.

Explore Shu-Hsia’s research

Through Houston Methodist's collaboration with Texas A&M, Engineering Medicine program, Dr. Pettigrew’s lab at Houston Methodist Research Institute focuses on the study of the mechanisms of aging in the cardiovascular system. Our approach is based on studying the cellular changes that underlie aging through structural analysis of cardiovascular cell structure. By combining engineering approaches and biology, we seek to build models that help us understand the physical changes that underlie aging to develop new therapies. Using this experimental approach, the lab can then focus on develop novel nanoparticle systems that selectively target cardiovascular cells, to correct these age-related physical changes. The lab is also focused on engineering biomimetic lipid nanoparticles to deliver RNA to create the next generation of therapies for other cardiovascular diseases.