Peixuan Guo, PhD
Dr. Guo works on both basic research and its subsequent practical applications, focusing on understanding the mechanisms and assembly of viral DNA packaging motor, and using components of the biomotor for various applications. By applying interdisciplinary approaches including chemistry, biophysics, biochemistry, nanotechnology, bioengineering, molecular biology, cell biology, computer modeling, and pharmaceutical sciences, Dr. Guo studies RNA, DNA and proteins and their interaction.
Dr. Guo’s current project areas are:
- RNA nanotechnology and its application for the delivery of siRNA/miRNA/drug for the treatment of cancers, viral infection, and genetic diseases
- Nanobiotechnology, including structure, function and mechanism of Phi29 DNA-packaging nanomotor
- Single molecule imaging and optical instrumentation to study the interaction of RNA, DNA, and protein
- Single pore technology for DNA sequencing, macromolecule detection, and disease diagnosis, using channels of variety of viral DNA packaging motors
Dan Shu, PhD
Dr. Shu has devoted her research career to the development of RNA nanotechnology for the treatment of cancers, specifically focusing on the treatment of breast cancer, including triple negative breast cancer. Dr. Shu is developing novel therapeutics utilizing RNA nanoparticles for the specific delivery of small interfering miRNA or siRNA to cancers and related stem cells. Her long-term objective is to focus on the development and translation of RNA nanotechnology-based therapeutics and imaging agents into clinical trials.