Japanese nanotechnology experts to visit UNMC

What is nanotechnology? Nanotechnology uses tiny particles that are more than 10 million times smaller than the human body.

Japanese and UNMC experts on nanotechnology and its impact on drug delivery will be featured at a mini-symposium on Monday, Jan. 6, in the UNMC Eppley Science Hall Amphitheater.

Six scientists from the Nanotechnology Researchers Network Center of Japan will visit UNMC as part of their tour of three universities in the United States. Ultimately, UNMC hopes to become part of an international collaborative center that will study nanotechnology and specifically, nanomedicine.

“The purpose of our visit to the United States is to investigate the latest research trends in biomedical application of nanoparticles and to have opportunity to build connections with U.S. researchers in this field,” said Kazunori Kataoka Ph.D., the Tokyo University professor who will lead the delegation.

Besides UNMC, the scientists will visit the University of Utah and the University of Washington.

Mini-symposium schedule The mini-symposium will begin at 8:15 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 6, with an introduction from Dr. Maurer. The rest of the mini-symposium’s program is as follows: 8:25 a.m. – “Introducing the Nanotechnoogy Researchers Network Center of Japan,” Tetsuji Sato, Nanotechnology Researchers Network Center of Japan; 8:40 a.m. – Plenary lecture: “Tumor-targeted Drug Delivery by Block Copolymer Micelles,” Kazunori Kataoka, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo; 9:30 a.m. – “Rapid Endosomal Escape of Nanoparticles: Mechanism and Therapeutic Application” Vinod Labhasetwar, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, UNMC; 10 a.m. – Coffee break 10:30 a.m. – “Preparation of Biointerface by Organic and Inorganic Materials,” Akio Kishida, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Research Institute, National Cardiovascular Center, Japan; 11 a.m. – “Ionic Polymer Complexes for Drug Delivery,” Tatiana Bronich, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, UNMC; 11:30 a.m. – “Biomimetic Synthesis of Hydroxyapatite/Collagen Self-Organized Nanocomposites and Their Bone Tissue Reaction,” Masanori Kikuchi, Regeneration Materials Group, Biomaterials Center, National Institute for Materials Science; Noon – Lunch (on your own) 1 p.m. – “Nanogels: Novel Materials for Delivery of Macromolecules to the Brain, ” Alexander Kabanov, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, UNMC; 1:30 p.m. – “Adenovirus-mediated ex vivo Gene Transfer for Therapeutic Angiogenesis,” Hiroyuki Koyama, Department of Vascular Regeneration, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo; 2 p.m. – “Gene Delivery/Therapy Program at UNMC,” Pi-Wan Cheng, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, UNMC; 2:30 p.m. – Closing Remarks Kazunori Kataoka, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo Alexander Kabanov, College of Pharmacy, UNMC Clarence Ueda, Dean, College of Pharmacy, UNMC

“This is a wonderful opportunity for scientists to hear from some of the world’s leading experts on nanomedicine and drug delivery,” said Alexander “Sasha” Kabanov, Ph.D., Dr.Sc., professor of pharmaceutical sciences in the UNMC College of Pharmacy. “We hope that through this visit, we will be able to show off our expertise to the Japanese visitors, and that we will be an active participant in the collaborative efforts between these Japanese scientists and U.S. scientists.”

What is nanomedicine?

Nanomedicine is an emerging field of medicine with novel applications. Nanomedicine is a subset of nanotechnology, which uses tiny particles that are more than 10 million times smaller than the human body. In nanomedicine, these particles are much smaller than the living cell. Because of this, nanomedicine presents many revolutionary opportunities in the fight against all types of cancer, neurodegenerative disorders and other diseases.

“There are clear applications in drug delivery or gene delivery area,” Dr. Kabanov said. “We can also do imaging by delivering small particles in the tumor, sometimes across the blood-brain barrier. By applying a magnetic field in specific cells, we can trigger drug release or do some other things on the nano-level. A nanoparticle is a little tool, an extremely small tool, and we are developing the tool box that will be necessary to address unmet medical needs.”

Dr. Kabanov’s research at UNMC

Currently, Dr. Kabanov’s research team is looking for ways to use nanomedicine to develop drug formulations that will overcome barriers of drug resistance in many cancers. Funded by several federal grants, Dr. Kabanov already has co-invented a polymer formulation that has achieved up to 1,000 times higher efficacy against drug-resistant tumor cells than doxorubicin, a widely used chemotherapeutic agent. Dr. Kabanov’s injectable polymer formulation of doxorubicin is undergoing Phase II clinical trials.

Dr. Kataoka said that Dr. Kabanov’s group is one of the most active U.S. research groups in nanotechnology and its application in drug delivery.
“We expect to have exciting discussions with him and his colleagues,” Dr. Kataoka said. “The most important point for the success of collaboration is to find a proper partner. There is no borderline in the market of biomedical engineering, and international collaboration can give you more information about the circumstances of this field in other countries.”

Dr. Kataoka’s research

Dr. Kataoka is one of the world’s leading scientists in bio-related and bio-compatible polymers. He has made several seminal contributions in the field of polymer self-assembly and developed several breakthrough technologies including the use of polymer micelles and complexes of ionic block copolymers for controlled drug delivery. His block copolymer-based formulation of doxorubicin — different from UNMC’s — is also undergoing clinical evaluation. This formulation and that of Dr. Kabanov’s are the first examples of clinical use of block copolymers in cancer.

The Nanotechnology Researchers Network Center of Japan

The Nanotechnology Researchers Network Center of Japan was developed earlier this year to support nanotechnology researchers providing intra- and international information about nanotechnology research.

Dr. Kabanov said he is optimistic that UNMC will be part of the international nanotechnology collaboration center with the Japanese, especially in the area of drug delivery.

“Our goal is to create a center of excellence in drug delivery research at UNMC, based in the College of Pharmacy,” Dr. Kabanov said. “Hopefully, we will be active participants in the nanotechnology research center.”
In all, the Japanese scientists will spend about two days in Nebraska. While here, they will participate in the mini-symposium; tour UNMC laboratories in which nanomedicine plays a key role; visit with key campus officials, including Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D.; and attend social functions hosted by UNMC scientists.