Center for Bioactive Delivery


A gel meant to suspend cells to test environmental toxicity accidentally formed a bubble which altered the colors of the cells around it. Fluorescently stained cancer cells suspended in a hydrogel matrix during a live/dead staining. A bubble trapped during the crosslinking process warps the image and cells around it. Shane Priester, Biomedical Engineering Department

The right drug to the right place Models for Optimized Drug delivery platforms

CBD creates new ways to deliver “The right drug to the right place: by creating novel delivery platforms for small and large molecules.”  Developing a wide range of delivery platforms matched to bioactive molecular delivery needs based on fundamental design principles, including nanoemulsions, nanoparticles, hybrid particles, bacteria, and hydrogels.

Bioactive delivery is a multi-dimensional challenge that remains a critical and often unsolved issue in product development. At the heart of CBD are organized multi-disciplinary teams focused on solutions to this complex landscape.

The long-term objective of the Center for Bioactive Delivery is to develop reliable, predictive models for optimized drug/carrier systems. This focus on synergies between the bioactive compound and its delivery for a suitable carrier solution creates a new paradigm for drug and nutrient delivery. 

The focus of our research falls into the following themes:

Nucleic Acid Delivery
  • CBD Research Theme 

Nucleic Acid Delivery

The Nucleic Acid theme focuses on developing platform technologies and payloads for the cellular delivery of nucleic acids, offering targeted approaches for treating genetic, infectious, and chronic diseases. 

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Proteins, Peptides & Antibodies
  • CBD Research Theme 

Proteins, Peptides & Antibodies

Proteins and antibodies are key signaling molecules used by cells naturally, and have track records as therapeutics; however, their susceptibility to degradation and inability to cross membrane barriers for intracellular delivery require carefully designed co-delivery vehicles and, at a larger scale, the timing and dose of their delivery can be controlled through carefully engineered systems.

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Small Molecule Delivery & Nutraceuticals
  • CBD Research Theme 

Small Molecule Delivery

Understand the self-assembly of carrier molecules and utilize them to develop efficient delivery vehicles for small molecules and nutraceuticals.

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