UNMC_Acronym_Vert_sm_4c
University of Nebraska Medical Center

Prakash Kshirsagar, PhD

Assistant Professor, UNMC Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

402-559-7754

Prakash Kshirsagar, PhD

The primary focus of our research is the development of advanced diagnostic technologies, recombinant protein-based nanoparticle vaccines (Nanovaccine), and therapeutic nanomedicines specifically designed to combat various types of cancers. We have been researching on designing advanced Nanobiosensing technologies to diagnose prostate and pancreatic cancers. These studies comprise developing advanced DNA-gold nanoparticle bioconjugates (i.e., DNA-AuNPs) for the direct (PCR-free), absolute, and highly sensitive quantification of serum-derived biomarkers, i.e., miRNAs, LncRNA, and MUC4 splice variants.

One of the main focuses of our research revolves around the formulation of novel recombinant MUC4 and MUC16 proteins-based Nano-liposomal vaccines and investigating their immunotherapeutic potential in treating pancreatic cancer. An additional crucial focus of our research involves the generation of mucin-based monoclonal antibodies and formulating therapeutic antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) targeting MUC4 mucins and evaluating their efficacy against pancreatic cancer (PC) using preclinical mice models.

Another important aspect of our research is the synthesis and characterization of novel liposomal nanoparticles as an efficient microRNA (RNA) delivery system for advancing gene therapy in treating breast and lung cancer-associated brain metastasis. Another crucial segment of our research projects focuses on developing innovative peptide-conjugated, light-sensitive (Near-Infrared) gold nanomaterials for photothermal therapy for treating pediatric glioblastoma (pGBM).

Education
  • Bachelor's in Chemistry, University of Pune, Pune, India.
  • Master's in Organic ChemistryUniversity of Pune, Pune, India.
  • PhD, Biomolecular Nanotechnologies, Italian Institute of Technology, Italy.
Research
Development of advanced diagnostic technologies, recombinant protein-based nanoparticle vaccines (Nanovaccine), and therapeutic nanomedicines specifically designed to combat various types of cancers.