BE Seminar titled “Next-Generation Solutions in medicine: Overcoming Drug Resistance in Cancer” by Dr. Raghuraman Kannan

Title: NEXT-GENERATION SOLUTIONS IN MEDICINE: OVERCOMING DRUG RESISTANCE IN CANCER.

Abstract: Research in my laboratories is focused on uncovering the underlying root causes of cancer’s resistance to drugs. Specifically, the work aims to identify and validate the mechanisms that drive this resistance. After elucidating the mechanism, we have designed new nano-delivery devices specific to the target to improve the effectiveness of FDA-approved treatments by restoring tumor sensitivity. We have made significant progress in recent years, including identifying a new “dual therapeutic pair” to overcome the resistance for the first time. We have also engineered stimuli-responsive nano-delivery devices to deliver more drugs to drug-resistant tumors and developed a novel class of material called Gelasomes for RNA therapy. In this seminar, I will present details about the successes, challenges, and prospects of the above-listed projects.

About the Speaker: Dr. Kannan is a faculty of Radiology and Bioengineering at the University of Missouri (MU) and has been a faculty member at MU since 2005. He leads the program on clinical translation of nanomaterials at MU. He received his M.S. degree in chemistry from the Indian Institute of Technology at Madras in 1993 and his Ph.D. degree in chemistry, from the Indian Institute of Science in 1999. Dr. Kannan’s current research focuses on the following areas: § Oncology and Immuno-Oncology: Developing drugs to overcome drug resistance in cancer. Dr. Kannan’s work includes the study of AXL inhibition, siRNA therapeutics, and the tumor immune microenvironment in lung and ovarian cancer. § Nanomedicine: Designing and developing novel supraparticle systems, including the Gold-Gelasomes and supraparticle self-assembly for targeted drug delivery and reduced toxicity in cancer treatment. § Medical Imaging and Diagnostics: Developing sensors for early detection of diabetic retinopathy and a near-infrared (NIR) imaging camera for cardiac imaging. Dr. Kannan is currently leading the NIH-supported “Clinical translational of nanomedicine” project with the aim of treating human cancer patients in the year 2027. As of now, Dr. Kannan holds 23 patents and patent applications published and licensed. His patent portfolio spans across gene delivery systems, CRISPR, nanotechnology, and medical imaging devices, contributing significantly to advancements in medical science and technology. Translational Research: Dr. Kannan has founded multiple companies that focus on translating his research into practical medical applications, bridging the gap between laboratory discoveries and clinical solutions. Dr. Kannan is a co-founder of four start-up companies based on his research. Two of his companies have raised several million-dollar investments from pharmaceutical companies. Education: Dr. Kannan is actively involved in developing new courses in Biomedical innovation and entrepreneurship; classroom teaching of basic principles of drug resistance in oncology; developing new laboratory experiments to provide hands-on experience to students; mentoring undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral fellows; and providing research opportunities to K-12 students in nanomedicine.