Polysaccharide-based strategies for drug delivery
Dr. Rebecca Bader, PhD, Assistant Professor, L.C. Smith College of Engineering and Computer
Science, Syracuse University
ABSTRACT
Conventional, as well as recently identified, therapeutics are often associated with severe,
potentially life threatening, consequences due to non-specific targeting and induction of
immunogenic responses. In recent years, paradigms have shifted towards combining toxic drugs
with molecular vehicles intended to promote delivery exclusively to the diseased region,
thereby increasing efficacy and reducing side effects. To further enhance this specificity, the
carrier systems are often combined with targeting moieties such as antibodies, small peptides, and
natural ligands. This talk will describe our approaches towards improving the delivery of drugs
used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, cystic fibrosis, and peripheral artery disease. Our lab
uses polysaccharide-based materials for the association/entrapment of drugs to ensure a lack of
toxicity and immunogenicity. Recent studies have focused on the use of polysialic acid to improve
circulatory stability and facilitate passive accumulation within diseased regions. This talk will also
highlight in vitro methods used to assess the efficacy of drug delivery systems. In sum, the work
described will provide insight into how polysaccharide-based drug delivery technology can be used
to improve the lives of those that suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, cystic fibrosis, and peripheral
artery disease.
BIOGRAPHY
Rebecca Bader is an assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical & Chemical Engineering
at Syracuse University, and a resident member of the Syracuse Biomaterials Institute. She has an
M.S. in organic chemistry from Princeton University, a Ph.D. in materials science from Oregon
State University, and completed her post-doctoral training under the guidance of Dr. Weiyuan
John Kao at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Combining her expertise in chemistry and
materials science, Dr. Bader’s current research is focused on the development of polysaccharidebased carrier systems, including conjugates, micelles, and nanoparticles, for targeted delivery in
the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, biofilm-related diseases, cancer and vascular disease. She
has authored numerous publications related to targeted drug delivery and has several patent
applications on the use of polysaccharide-based nanoparticles and micelles for increasing efficacy
of anti-rheumatic therapeutics. Dr. Bader is also the current Chair of the Drug Delivery SIG of the
Society for Biomaterials.