Dipanjan Pan

Pan laboratory is interested in converging ‘molecule making’ with ‘device making’ to solve complex biological problems. The philosophy of my research program is that integrated solutions to problems can be formulated by in silico-to-in vivo approach and synergistic developments in four major areas: drug delivery (e.g., stem like cancer cells and transcription factors), molecularly specific contrast probes and their applications in preclinical and clinical models and bio-sensing (chemical and electro-chemical sensing of disease). At the laboratory for materials in medicine (MatMed) our research is multifaceted to make nanomedicine patient specific using an ‘omics’ approach.

Our research is broadly aimed at the understanding and creating defined materials for molecular imaging, drug delivery and non-viral gene delivery applications with a focus on structure, function and engineering processes. We are also dedicated to developing ‘immuno-nanomedicine’ approaches to cancer and other biomedical problems. In close collaboration with clinical scientists, we integrate basic science and engineering with medicine emphasizing image guided drug delivery for cardiovascular, infectious and oncologic application. Initiated originally at Washington University, expanded at Illinois and then in Maryland, at Penn State we continue to focus on building individual proficiencies in these areas and advancing specific applications towards clinical translation, personalized nanomedicine and developing biosensors for ‘sensing’ biological processes using machine learning tools. With a demonstrated track record of translating academic research to market/clinic and working closely with clinicians, we thrive to diminish the gap between exploratory science and clinical research and bring technologies from ‘bench-to-bed-side’.

Some of the recent activities include:

• Utilization of emerging specxray or photon counting detector for in vivo multiplexing; using CRISPR-based gene editing techniques for therapy and diagnostics; infectious disease diagnostics; nuclear nanomedicine and developing nano-therapies for blood diseases.

• Translational research and entrepreneurship activities Pan laboratory is developing translatable technologies for biomedical applications. Technologies developed in our laboratories have been licensed 11 times and led to the formation of 4 startups, i.e. KaloCyte, Inc., Innsight Tech, Inc., VitruVian Bio, and most recently RNA Disease Diagnostics, Inc.