C-TRAIN Current Funding


The Siteman Center of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence at Washington University
PI: SA Wickline
Grant Number: U54 CA119342
Funding Agency: National Institutes of Health
Total Award: $16,643,205
Project 1 - Neovascular-Directed Nanoparticles for Detection, Characterization and Treatment of Neoplasia with MRI
PI:
Amount:$2,853,414
Goal: The subject of this proposal is the application of a novel paramagnetic site-targeted contrast "platform technology" for sensitive and specific imaging of molecular epitopes expressed on tumor neovasculature alone and in combination with the local delivery of chemotherapeutic agents to these sites.
Project 3 - Acoustic Nanobeacons for Targeted Detection and Treatment of Tumor Angiogenesis
PI:
Amount:$2,557,063
Goal: The hypothesis of this project is that imaging with novel ultrasound contrast agents can delineate selected molecular epitopes associated with angiogenesis, inflammation, and metastasis in tumors at very early stages in the process of tumor expansion with the use of ligand-targeted, perfluorocarbon nanoparticle emulsion contrast agents.
Project 4 - An Informatics Resource for Targeted Nanoparticle Therapeutics
PI:
Amount:$1,594,673
Goal: The focus of this project is to develop a nanoparticle informatics resource that will include a comprehensive taxonomcal database of available technologies and a toolbox for pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics modeling of nanoparticles
Project 5 - Multimodal In Vivo Cell Imaging NanoArray
PI:
Amount:$1,487,336
Goal: The goal of this project is to develop new nanoscale sensors suitable for High Content Screening that will have multiple applications for development of new cancer drugs: at the highest level as a basic research tool for real-time three-dimensional in vivo cell imaging for screening of new cancer drugs, and at a finer level, as a tool for real-time imaging of targeted-drug carrier interaction with cell membranes.
Core 1 - Biocomputing Core
PI:
Amount:$910,654
Goal: The purpose of this core is to provide centralized computing and storage resources for the SCCNE projects and serve as the point of contact between the projects.
Core 2 - Research Core
PI:
Amount:$933,370
Goal: The purpose of this core is to provide a functional interface between nanoparticle chemistry, tissue culture cell biology and Phase 1 clinical trial implementation of nanotechnology.
Core 3 - Biosignature and Vector Development Core
PI:
Amount:$1,405,581
Goal: The purpose of this core is to implement the Dyax Phage Display technology at Washington University.
Core 4 - Education and Dissemination of Nanomedicine in Cancer Core (EDNIC)
PI:
Amount:$527,069
Goal: The purpose of this core is to provide a basic understanding of nanotechnology in cancer and also to inform our community of the work being done at the SCCNE and throughout the world.
Core 5 - Training in Nanomedicine
PI:
Amount:$547,092
Goal: The purpose of this core is to design, coordinate, and implement the Nanomedicine training program.
Core 6 - Nanomaterials and Nanofabrication for Targeting Cancer Training, Education, and Outreach (UIUC)
PI:
Amount:$1,633,065
Goal: Subcontract to U of I
Core 7 - SCCNE Administrative Core
PI:
Amount:$1,837,543
Goal: The purpose of this core is to provide administrative support for The Siteman Center of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence at Washington University.
Research and Magnetic Resonance Imaging System Agreement
PI:
Grant Number:Philips Medical System
Funding Agency:Philips Medical System
Amount:
Goal:The goal is to implement cardiac MRI for clinical cardiac diagnosis.
Methods In Molecular Imaging and Targeted Therapeutics
PI:
Grant Number:5 R01 HL073646-04
Funding Agency:NIH/NHLBI
Amount:$7,616,431
Goal: The broad subject of this Biomedical Research Partnership (BRP) application is the development of novel multidimensional nanotechnologies for sensitive and specific imaging of molecular epitopes that are etiologic for atherosclerosis. The unifying hypothesis is that targeted molecular imaging with novel paramagnetic perfluorocarbon emulsion nanoparticle contrast agents can delineate selected molecular features of atherosclerotic lesions that are critical determinants of early lesion growth and later lesion instability. Noninvasive and early detection of these situations could enhance patient management and potentially reduce the incidence of myocardial infarction and stroke. The long-range goal is to produce a targeted nanoparticle contrast agent characterized by: 1) flexible targeting options depending on the binding ligand selected, 2) flexible imaging choices based on contrast mechanism best suited to the pathology in questions, and 3) flexible opportunities for local delivery of therapeutic agents coupled directly with image-based quantification of local nanoparticle deposition. The technology is expected to enable early noninvasive detection of a variety of pathologies, convenient serial outpatient evaluation, and site-targeted delivery of therapeutics as clinically indicated. Stable and safe self-assembling nanoparticles will be developed, refined, and tested for visualization of pathological epitopes with the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Corporate partners who are involved in the research and intended commercialization are Kereos, Inc., Philips Medical Systems, Bristol-Myers Squibb Medical Imaging, and Dow Chemical.
SCCOR in Metabolic Syndrome and Vascular Disease Core B-Vascular Imaging Core
PI:
Grant Number:P50 HL083762
Funding Agency:National Institutes of Health
Amount:$1,149,071
Goal: The long-range goal is to produce a targeted nanoparticle contrast agent characterized by: 1) flexible targeting options depending on the binding ligand selected, 2) flexible imaging choices based on contrast mechanism best suited to the pathology question, and 3) flexible opportunities for local delivery of therapeutic agents coupled directly with image-based quantification of local nanoparticle deposition.
Combined Therapeutic-Imaging Agent for Atherosclerosis
PI:
Grant Number:R01 HL078631
Funding Agency:National Institutes of Health
Amount:$1,493,284
Goal: This project explores the potential of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors to sustain the acute "atherolytic" response of targeted fumagillin therapy and will evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of this technology.
Molecular Imaging of Angiogenesis by MRI
PI:
Grant Number:R01 EB001704
Funding Agency:National Institutes of Health
Amount:$945,749
Goal: The goal of this project is to test the hypothesis that alpha(v)beta(3)-targeted paramagnetic nanoparticles will allow sensitive detection of the early molecular signatures of angiogenesis.
Fibrin-Specific Thrombolytic Nanoparticles for Acute Stroke
PI:
Grant Number:R01 NS059302
Funding Agency:National Institutes of Health
Amount: $1,662,591
Goal: The goal of this project is to develop and evaluate fibrin-targeted thrombolytic nanoparticles for treatment of acute stroke.
Molecularly taqrgeted local drug delivery to inhibit restenosis but not impede endothelial healing.
PI:
Grant Number:0735067N
Funding Agency:American Heart Association
Amount:$260,000
Goal: We hypothesize that molecularly targeted perfluorocarbon nanoparticles delivered directly into the wall of balloon overstretch injured arteries can inhibit restenosis with minimal or no inhibition of endothelial healing.
Three-dimensional Molecular Imaging of Intramural Biomarkers with Targeted Nanoparticles.
PI:
Grant Number:0660057Z
Funding Agency:American Heart Association
Amount:$143,000
Goal: In this project, novel nanoparticulate platform technology will be used to characterize the components of the atheromatous vascular wall following baloon overstretch injury in vivo to test the hypethesis that perfluorocarbon nanoparticles targeted against cellular and extracellular epitopes in the injured vascular wall can be employed to qualitatively image and define length, depth, and morphology of the injury.

Copyright C-TRAIN 2007