Cancer Science Seminar: May 21, 2026
A partnership with Ellis Fischel Cancer Center.
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"Peptide-Targeted Mesoporous Silicon Nanoparticles for Delivery of Biologics to Tumors"
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Speaker: Date: Thursday, May 21, 2026 Location:
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Register Here
*Zoom option available
Description
This presentation describes the design features needed for nanoscale vehicles to achieve effective delivery of therapeutics in vivo. Here we emphasize biologic therapeutics such as proteins and siRNA-mediated gene silencing agents. Three aspects of the problem are addressed: (1) protection of the biologic from degradation and clearance; (2) selective homing to target cell types; and (3) release of the biologic payload with the correct temporal concentration profile to maximize efficacy. The presentation will focus on mesoporous silicon and silicon oxide nanoparticles for delivery of the therapeutic payloads, and it will highlight chemistries that can be used to encapsulate small molecule and biologic payloads within the confines of electrochemically prepared porous silicon-based nano-cages. While silicon is generally thought of in the context of microelectronics and solar energy harvesting, recent work has illuminated the utility of the chemistry and materials science of silicon for nanomedicine applications. To be useful in this domain, the material must effectively trap and retain function of the biologic molecule that it is hosting. Trapping chemistries have been developed that operate under mild aqueous conditions to dynamically restructure the mesopores to immobilize and confine the payload without introducing proteolytic, nucleolytic, or other degradation pathways, and while still allowing attachment of targeting peptides and other moieties to the exterior surface of the nanoparticle. As targeting agents, short polypeptides have the advantage of low immunogenicity, simple synthesis and convenient conjugation chemistries. However, their target specificity is generally in the micromolar range—by contrast antibodies typically show nanomolar binding constants. One solution to this challenge is to engage multivalent effects, by attaching multiple peptides to a single nanoparticle. Provided the receptor density on the target cells is sufficiently high, this approach can be highly effective in targeting nanoparticles and their payloads to diseased tissues in vivo. Finally, the silicon-based material must be engineered to dissolve to harmless byproducts on timescales appropriate to attain maximal therapeutic efficacy. Applications in targeting of tumors, brain injuries, and peripheral nervous system repair will be highlighted.
About the Speaker
Michael J. Sailor earned his Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Chemistry from Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, CA, completing the program in May 1983. Following their undergraduate studies, he pursued a PhD in Chemistry at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, which he completed in June 1988. He is a nanotechnology researcher and Distinguished Professor at the University of California, San Diego. Sailor is best known for his research on porous silicon, a nanostructured material that is prepared by electrochemical corrosion of crystalline silicon wafers.
About the Seminar Series
The goal of the NextGen Precision Health & Ellis Fischel Cancer Center Science Seminar is to highlight transdisciplinary precision research taking place in the cancer field, provide opportunities for collaboration among researchers to build their own research efforts and promote clinical/researcher activity across the University of Missouri System and our partners.
For questions about this event, please reach out to Mackenzie Lynch.
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