Harnessing the Power of Polymer-protein Assemblies for Biomedical Applications

Presented by: Professor Ming Zhao, University of Kansas

Proteins orchestrate a diverse array of critical cellular processes. Imbalances in protein activity and concentration form the basis of many human diseases. My research focuses on the design and development of advanced polymeric materials/systems with outstanding safety profiles in vivo for protein delivery to enable efficient management of metabolic disorders, cancer, infectious diseases and genetic disorders.  First, I will discuss engineering antifouling polymers to minimize the immunogenicity of therapeutic enzymes and prolong their in vivo activities, which allow for better management of metabolic disorders. Next, I will introduce a semiconducting polymer-based nanoassembly, designed for targeted delivery of enzymes and associated cancer drugs for TME modulation and combination cancer therapy. In addition, I will talk about nonviral delivery of gene editing agents using polymeric nanocarriers for precise genome editing and elimination of HIV-1 proviral DNA with high editing efficiency. Overall, the rational design and selection of polymeric materials/systems and their novel combinations with therapeutic proteins open broad opportunities to address grand challenges in human health.

Bio:

Dr. Ming Zhao is an assistant professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the University of Kansas. Before KU, He was a postdoctoral associate in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT. He was also a research fellow affiliated with Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School. Prior to MIT, he earned a Ph.D. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from UCLA in 2018. His primary research interests center on engineering biodegradable nanomaterials, hydrogels, and elastomers to enhance macromolecules delivery for precise genome editing, innovative cancer therapies, metabolic disorder management, and multi-sensing applications. He has received the MIT Credential in Inclusive Teaching, the UCLA Doctoral Student Travel Award, and the National Scholarship for Distinguished Students in China. Additionally, he serves as an associate editor for the journal Frontiers In Immunology.