CBC Seminar Series presents: Dr. Gang Han from UMass Medical School, Illuminating Biology with Nanoparticles

Chemistry & Biochemistry

Presents

Dr. Gang Han, Professor, AIMBE Fellow

Biochemistry & Molecular Biotechnology Department, UMass Chan Medical School

Nanoparticles have emerged as powerful tools for illuminating complex biological systems due to their unique physical and chemical properties. Our group has pioneered innovative nanoparticle-based platforms, notably upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) and persistent luminescence nanoparticles, for diverse biomedical applications from imaging to therapeutic interventions.

Our research highlights the unique ability of UCNPs to convert tissue-penetrating near-infrared (NIR) light into visible emissions, enabling precise control in optogenetic immuno-modulation. Engineered immune cells expressing light-sensitive opsins can be remotely activated using UCNPs, significantly improving specificity, efficacy, and safety in cancer immunotherapies.

We have also developed advanced nanoparticles capable of being activated by both NIR light and X-rays, enabling versatile and deep-tissue biomedical applications. These dual-mode activated nanoparticles offer significant advantages for targeted photodynamic therapy and precision bio-imaging, providing opportunities for enhanced treatment of deep-seated diseases with minimal invasiveness.

Additionally, our research explores the potential of UCNPs for "invisible vision," enabling perception of infrared wavelengths beyond the natural visual spectrum. This has important implications for biomedical imaging, diagnostics, and sensory augmentation technologies.

Collectively, our efforts illustrate the transformative potential of nanoparticles, pushing the boundaries of biomedical research and clinical applications to new frontiers.