Melvin Klegerman

The molecular targeting program of the cardiology research laboratories is focused on liposomal (and other particulate) targeting strategies aimed at developing improved modalities for diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular and other diseases; molecular aspects of protein-lipid interactions; mechanisms of ultrasound-enhanced vascular permeability; molecular strategies for ultrasound imaging enhancement; biochemical, cellular and immunologic mechanisms of atherogenesis; immunochemical and biochemical assay development; and mechanisms of thrombosis and thrombolysis. Cardiology research wet lab facilities on the 5th floor of the Behavioral and Biomedical Sciences Building (BBSB) on the south campus currently include access to a cell culture module, clinical and research ultrasound instrumentation, animal catheterization laboratory, a near infrared fluorescent imaging system, gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS), Beckman Coulter Multisizer 4 for particle/cell enumeration and size distribution analysis, dynamic light scattering instrumentation for nanoscale size distribution analysis, a UV/VIS spectrophotometer, lyophilizers, liquid chromatography and electrophoresis instrumentation, light microscopes, sonicators, table-top and high-speed centrifuges, flow cytometers, microplate readers, fluorescence microscopes and an ultracentrifuge. Our animal research protocols are performed in state-of-the-art facilities on the 6th floor of BBSB and in the adjacent CABIR building (SCRB 3). Translational product development involving clean room technology is carried out in a GLP laboratory in SCRB 3. Computer resources are focused on biomedical engineering applications with an emphasis on imaging algorithms. Research opportunities for graduate students at the cardiology research laboratory in BBSB 5110 and other locations include 1) molecularly targeted echogenic liposome production and evaluation for both diagnostic and therapeutic applications; 2) site-directed stem cell delivery to atheroma in mouse and miniswine models, directed toward the development and optimization of liposome-based strategies enabling the survival, proliferation and trans-differentiation of both hematopoietic and mesenchymal stem cells into vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells to stabilize vulnerable plaques; 3) elucidation of intracellular mechanisms of ultrasound enhancement of vascular permeability and 4) a translational research project aimed toward the clinical development of a peptide-targeted, drug-loaded echogenic liposomal product for prevention of neoatherogenesis following percutaneous intervention for thrombotic disorders.