Dr. McCarthy’s research aims to integrate molecular imaging techniques and novel drug delivery methods to study and treat a variety of diseases.
Molecular Imaging: A tool that allows the visualization of biological processes occurring in the body. Dr. McCarthy specifically uses fluorescent imaging via fluorogenic and targeted imaging probes.
Drug Delivery: Dr. McCarthy generates materials that can target drugs to specific cells within the body. Current platforms can deliver small molecules or oligonucleotides such as mRNA, to the sites of action.
Materials for the Modulation of Biology
Dr. McCarthy focuses on making simple materials with the potential to treat complex diseases. This is accomplished by specifically targeting the cells responsible for the initiation and progression of disease with nanometer-sized particles loaded with therapeutics. To achieve this goal, his group designs systems incorporating polymers and lipids capable of encapsulating drugs. These nanoparticles are then modified with peptide-based ligands adept at recognizing specific targets on cell surfaces or within the extracellular matrix. These materials are being investigated in a number of diseases, including myocardial infarction, pulmonary fibrosis, systemic lupus erythematosius, and transplant rejection.
Visualizing Biological Processes
To detect the interplay of processes that occur in disease, fluorescent agents are generated which are either activated by enzymes (fluorogenic) or bind to targets of interest to allow their investigation in both a non-invasive and longitudinal manner. For the fluorescent probes, target recognition sequences for receptors or matrices of interest are used to rapidly generate peptides via a microwave-assisted synthesis and subsequently labeled with fluorophores to enable in vivo detection. Similarly, the fluorogenic probes are derived from peptide sequences recognized by enzymes of interest and labeled with fluorescent dyes, but are appended to polymeric backbones, enabling fluorescence turn-on upon interaction with the appropriate enzyme. These imaging agents are routinely used to probe matrix deposition (collagen, fibrin, hydroxyapatite), receptor status (somatostatin, cell adhesion molecules, integrins) and enzyme activity (plasmin, thrombin, granzyme B).
Investigation of Diseases
Lab Members
Chase Kessinger, Ph.D.
Chase Kessinger, Ph.D.
