Research: Center of Excellence for Infectious Diseases
Principal Investigators
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Huanyu Dou, M.D.Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Center of Excellence for Infectious DiseasesDepartment of Biomedical Sciences Dr. Dou Research Lab |
Research Interests
The laboratory's primary objective is to investigate the therapeutic role of a cell-based nanodrug delivery system with characterization of nanocarrier, bone marrow derived cells (BMDC) migration into the brain. In vivo and ex in vivo studies are being conducted to elucidate coupled immunoglobulin to nanoformulated drug specific uptake by BMDC in order to target areas of inflammation in brain disease area.
Long-range Goals
To study the therapeutic role of a cell-based nanodrug delivery system
Techniques used in the laboratory
- Stereotactic brain injection
- Nanoformulation
- Histology
- Western Blot, RT-PCR, HPLC
- Cell and tissue cultures
- AFM
- Live confocal microscopy
- Stem cell isolation
Research Goals
A cell-based targeting delivery system in mouse model of HIV-1 infection and neuroAIDS is being developed. Neuroprotective and antiviral targeting delivery system will have been developed using BMDC carrying nanoformulations to target the diseased areas. Track BMDC migration and HPLC assay for the elucidation of BMDC anatomical distribution and therapeutics pharmacokinetics.
Animal models of tumor growth (i.e. primary and cell line) and experimental therapy are being used to test several antitumor drugs including BMDC nanoparticles delivery of chemotheraputics and anti-tumor molecules. The combination of paclitaxel and temozolomide is being investigated to establish a BMDC nanoparticle(s) delivery system in a mouse model of human glioma. This is a novel therapeutic approach for chemotherapy.
Nanotechnology and synthesis have been used to couple immunoglobulin to nanoparticles in order to facilitate uptake and delivery molecule therapeutics into the d the brain. The studies will focus on how nanoformulation and/or antibody binded nanoparticles can facilitate delivery to cross the BBB. The development of nanoformatuion of anti-inflammation and neuroprotection are being done in collaborations with Drs. Jun Chen, John Zhang and Christopher J. Destache. Cellular receptor-mediated nano-drug delivery would improve brain drug levels through the blood-brain barrier (BBB), eliciting improvement of therapeutic efficacy.
Positions and Employment
| 2008-present | Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE |
| 2005-2008 | Director, Neurotherapeutics Program and Instructor (faculty), Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, Center for Neurovirology and Neurodegenerative Disorders, UNMC, Omaha, NE |
| 2002-2004 | Post-doctoral research associate, Center for Neurovirology and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Department of Pathology and Microbiology, UNMC, Omaha, NE |
| 2000-2001 | Post-doctoral fellow, Laboratory of Zvi Malik, Unit of Microscopy, Faculty of Life, Sciences of Bar-Ilan University, Israel |
| 1995-2000 | Associate Professor and Vice-Director, Ceter Morphology, Department of Anatomy, Weifang Medical College, China |
| 1993-1995 | Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, Weifang Medical College, China |
| 1985-1990 | Doctor and Instructor, Department of Anatomy, Weifang Medical College, China |
Other experience and professional membership
- Society for Neuroscience
- International Society of Neuroimmunology
- International Society for Neurochemistry
- Society on NeuroImmune Pharmacology
- International Association of Nanotechnology
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Society for Translational Neuroscience
- Ongoing Projects