Rangaramanujam M. Kannan

Dendrimer Nanomedicine
Dendrimers are tree-like polymers (~5-10 nm) with a well-defined branching architecture that offer a new length scale for multifunctional delivery systems, with an ability to deliver therapeutics in a targeted manner, with simultaneous imaging. Our drug delivery group seeks to maximize the unique surface, cellular and in vivo properties of dendrimers for improved therapeutic efficacy. We do this through synthesis, in vitro and in vivo characterization of custom-designed dendrimer-based multifunctional nanodevices for cancer, inflammation (neuro and lung), and eye diseases. Translational research is enabled through inter-disciplinary collaborations with various components of the Wayne State Medical School.

Supercritical CO₂-dispersed polymer nanocomposites
Achieving clay dispersion and improving polymer-clay interactions are key to producing superior nanocomposites. Using a patented, licensed technology based on the unique properties of supercritical carbon dioxide [discovered by Wayne State (Gulari, Manke, Kannan), and Ford researchers], we are preparing dispersed nanoclays and polymer clay nanocomposites. Current research focuses on improving processing times, and diversification of the scCO₂ processing to a wide variety of commercial polymers. X-ray diffraction, rheology, mechanical and rheo-optical techniques play a key role in understanding the dispersed nanocomposite properties.

Selected Publications
 

1. ‘Intrinsic targeting of neuroinflammation by polyamidoamine dendrimers in a rabbit model of cerebral palsy’ H.Dai, R.Navath, B.Balakrishnan, B.Raja Guru, M.Mishra, R.Romero, R.M.Kannan*, S.Kannan*, in press, Future Medicine:Nanomedicine, June. (2010) (journal impact factor:6.05).
    
2. ‘Amino acid functionalized dendrimers with hetero-bifunctional chemoselective peripheral groups for drug delivery’, R.Navath, A.Menjoge, B.Wang, R.Romero, S.Kannan, R.M.Kannan*, DOI: 10.1021/bm100186b, Biomacromolecules, May (2010) (journal impact factor:4.2) .
    
3. ‘Transport and Biodistribution of Dendrimers Across Human Fetal Membranes: Implications for Intravaginal Administration of Dendrimers’, A. R. Menjoge, R. S. Navath, A. Asad, S. Kannan, C. J. Kim, R.Romero, R. M. Kannan*, Biomaterials, 31(8), 5007-5021 (2010) (journal impact factor:6.6).
    
4. ‘Dendrimer-Based Drug and Imaging Conjugates: Design Considerations for Nanomedical Applications’, A.Menjoge, R.M.Kannan*, D.Tomalia*, Invited Foundation review, Drug Discovery Today, 15(5),171-185 (2010) (journal impact factor: 7.1).
    
5. ’Multifunctional Dendrimer-templated Antibody Presentation on Biosensor Surfaces for Improved Biomarker Detection’, H.Han, R.M.Kannan*, S.Wang, G.Z.Mao, J.P.Kusanovic, R.Romero, Advanced Functional Materials , 19, 1–13 (2009) (journal impact factor: 7.5).
    
6. ‘Drug release mechanisms and kinetics from dendrimer-drug conjugates with glutathione sensitive linkers’, Emre, YK, R. Navath, B. Wang, R. Romero, S. Kannan, RM Kannan*, Biomaterials, 30, 2112-2121 (2009) (journal impact factor:6.6).
    
7. ‘Supercritical CO2-processed dispersed polystyrene-clay nanocomposites’, ‘M. Manitiu, R. Bellair, S. Horsch, E. Gulari and R. M. Kannan*, Macromolecules, 41,8038-8046, 2008 (journal impact factor:4.4).
    
8. ‘Dendrimer Effect of surface functionality on the cellular trafficking of dendrimers’, O. Pillai, R. Inapagolla, RM.Kannan, S.Kannan*, Biomaterials (2008), 29(24-25), 3469-3476 (2008) (journal impact factor: 6.6).
    
9. ‘Activity of dendrimer-methotrexate conjugates in sensitive and resistant cell lines’, S. Gurdag, J. Khandare, S. Staples, R. M. Kannan*, L. Matherly, Bioconjugate Chem. (2006), 17(2):275-83 (among the top 10 most accessed articles during that period, Faculty of 1000 publication, highlighted by NIH (Nano) and other publications) (journal impact factor: 4.4).