Francis Szoka, Jr.

Research Interests

Pharmaceutical Chemistry, micro particulate drug and gene delivery systems, liposomes, model membranes.

Research Summary

The Szoka Laboratory examines the biophysical factors involved in biomembrane fusion, devises synthetic systems to deliver macromolecules across membranes, and employs such systems to target macromolecules to cells and organs. We use phospholipid vesicles (liposomes) as targeted drug and gene delivery systems to treat cancer. In the area of macromolecular therapeutics, our focus is on gene delivery to the lung, liver and tumors. Using viruses as models, we are identifying components required for efficient delivery, synthesizing simpler molecules to mimic their function and studying the factors that are important for their assembly with plasmid DNA into an efficient polynucleotide carrier. We have three laboratories circa 2000 square feet and a cell culture room located on the 11th floor of HSE. Graduate assistantships are available.

Selected Publications

Li W, Szoka FC Jr. Lipid-based Nanoparticles for Nucleic Acid Delivery. Pharm Res. 2007 Jan 25;

Huynh GH, Ozawa T, Deen DF, Tihan T, Szoka FC Jr. Retro-convection enhanced delivery to increase blood to brain transfer of macromolecules.Brain Res. 2007 Jan 12;1128(1):181-90.

Huang Z, Park JI, Watson DS, Hwang P, Szoka FC Jr. Facile synthesis of multivalent nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) and NTA conjugates for analytical and drug delivery applications. Bioconjug Chem. 2006 Nov-Dec;17(6):1592-600.

Lee CC, Gillies ER, Fox ME, Guillaudeu SJ, Frechet JM, Dy EE, Szoka FC. A single dose of doxorubicin-functionalized bow-tie dendrimer cures mice bearing C-26 colon carcinomas. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2006 Nov 7;103(45):16649-54

Huang Z, Guo X, Li W, MacKay JA, Szoka FC Jr. Acid-triggered transformation of diortho ester phosphocholine liposome. J Am Chem Soc. 2006 Jan 11;128(1):60-1.