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Research in Chemistry

Dr. DeLong is investigating nanoparticles derived of DNA or RNA complexed to cationic peptides. In his most recently published work these nanoparticles have been shown to chemically stabilize macromolecular DNA or siRNA to physico-chemical, pH and/or temperature extremes, protecting their nucleic acid cargo from nuclease degradation and facilitating their delivery to cells in culture [1,2,3]. In a collaboration with researchers at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, he is studying new methods of producing nanoparticles for potential delivery of DNA vaccines or siRNA biotherapeutics.

A second area of research interest is the regulation of proteases and other secreted proteins [4,5]. He is interested in extending nanoparticle-mediated approaches and in applying quantitative analytical tools towards the delivery, physico-chemical stabilization and mechanisms of these types of enzymes, as well as to DNA and to siRNA.

[1] Knowle, R., Werner, A. and R.K. DeLong R4 peptide-pDNA Nanoparticle Coated HepB Vaccine Microparticles: Sedimentation, Partitioning and Spray freeze Dry Bioprocesses J. Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (in press).

[2] Kang H, DeLong R, Fisher MH, Juliano RL. Tat-conjugated PAMAM dendrimers as delivery agents for antisense and siRNA oligonucleotides. Pharm Res. 2005 Dec;22(12):2099-106.

[3] Medberry P, Dennis S, Van Hecke T, DeLong RK. pDNA bioparticles: comparative heterogeneity, surface, binding, and activity analyses. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2004 Jun 25;319(2):426-32.

[4] Miller PS, Bi G, Kipp SA, Fok V, DeLong RK. Triplex formation by a psoralen-conjugated oligodeoxyribonucleotide containing the base analog 8-oxo-adenine. Nucleic Acids Res. 1996 Feb 15;24(4):730-6.

[5] Delong RK, Miller PS. Inhibition of human collagenase activity by antisense oligonucleoside methylphosphonates. Antisense Nucleic Acid Drug Dev. 1996 Winter;6(4):273-80.

Dr. Gatrone is investigating the design and synthesis of organic molecules for the recognition of the monovalent cations frequently found in nuclear waste. Specifically, he is interested in the ionic recognition of Li⁺ and Cs⁺ as well as Am⁺³, major players in the nuclear fuel cycle, through the exploitation of steric factors. His research is conducted collaboratively with the research groups at Argonne (Illinois) and Oak Ridge (Tennessee) National Laboratories.

He also has an interest in organophosphorus chemistry, the synthesis of molecules that undergo degenerative [3,3] sigmatropic shifts, and the role of the solvent in organic reactions.

More to come!