Rangaramanujam M. Kannan

AREAS OF RESEARCH

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. Our drug delivery group seeks to maximize the unique surface, cellular and in vivo properties of PAMAM dendrimers for improved therapeutic efficacy. We do this through synthesis, in vitro and in vivo characterization of custom-designed dendrimer-based multifunctional nanodevices for the treatment of neuroinflammation (cerebral palsy, retinal degeneration, autism, spinal cord injuries), cancer, and other diseases. Translational research is enabled through inter-disciplinary collaborations at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Wayne State University.

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, 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. Sujatha Kannan, Hui Dai, Raghavendra S. Navath, Bindu Balakrishnan, Amar Jyoti, James Janisse, Roberto Romero, Rangaramanujam M. Kannan* (2012). Dendrimer-Based Postnatal Therapy for Neuroinflammation and Cerebral Palsy in a Rabbit Model. Science Translational Medicine, Vol. 4, Issue 130, p. 130ra46
    
Highlighted in Science, Nature Rev. Drug Discover, Toronto news.


2. R. Iezzi, B. R. Guru, I. V. Glybina, M. K. Mishra, A. Kennedy, R. M. Kannan* (2012). Dendrimer-based targeted intravitreal therapy for sustained attenuation of neuroinflammation in retinal degeneration. Biomaterials, Volume 33, Issue 3, January 2012, Pages 979-988
    
Highlighted in Science Daily, News & Analysis.


3. H. Dai, R.S. Navath, B. Balakrishnan, B.R. Guru, M.K. Mishra, R. Romero, R.M. Kannan*, S. Kannan* (2010). Intrinsic targeting of inflammatory cells in the brain by polyamidoamine dendrimers upon subarachnoid administration. Future Medicine:Nanomedicine, 5(9), 1317-1329.
    
4. AR Menjoge, A Rinderknecht, R Navath, M Faridnia, R Romero, R Miller, RM Kannan* (2011). Transfer of PAMAM dendrimers across the human placenta: prospects for use as drug carrier during pregnancy. Journal of Controlled Release, 150(3), 326-338.
    
5. M Mishra, K Kotta, M Hali, S Wykes, I Benchaala, H Gerard, A Hudson, J Whittum-Hudson, RM Kannan* (2011). PAMAM dendrimer-azithromycin conjugate nanodevices for the treatment of Chlamydia trachomatis Infections. Nanomedicine (NBM), 7(6), 935-944.
    
6. AR Menjoge, RM Kannan*, DA Tomalia* (2010), Dendrimer-Based Drug and Imaging Conjugates: Design Considerations for Nanomedical Applications, Invited Foundation review. Drug Discovery Today, 15(5), 171-185.
    
7. YK Emre, RS Navath, B Wang, R Romero, S Kannan, RM Kannan* (2009). Drug release mechanisms and kinetics from dendrimer-drug conjugates with glutathione sensitive linkers. Biomaterials, 30, 2112-2121.
    
8. M Mishra, H Gerard, J Whittum-Hudson, A Hudson*, RM Kannan* (2012). Dendrimer-Enabled Modulation of Gene Expression in Chlamydia trachomatis. Molecular Pharmaceutics, 9(4), 413-421.
    
9. B Wang, R Navath, AR Menjoge, B Balakrishnan, R Bellair, H Dai, R Romero, S Kannan, RM Kannan* (2010). Inhibition of bacterial growth and intramniotic infection in a guinea pig model of chorioamnionitis using PAMAM dendrimers. International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 395(1-2), 298-308.