Rangaramanujam M. Kannan
Associate Professor Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Biomedical Engineering
B.E. (Hons.) Birla Institute of Technology and Science, 1987
Ph.D. California Institute of Technology, 1994
Fellow of the American Academy of Nanomedicine (August 2006)
Chief Technical Officer, nanoScience Engineering Corp., (7/2006- to date)
Member, Karmanos Cancer Institute
Ad hoc Member, National Cancer Institute Special Emphasis Study Section ZCA1-SRRB-3(C1)
NSF CAREER Award (1999)
Unilever Award for outstanding Ph.D. thesis in Polymer Science by ACS (1995)
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.
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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. Scattering, rheology, and mechanical and rheo-optical techniques play a key role in understanding the dispersed nanocomposite properties
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Novel synthesis methods have provided tremendous flexibility to engineer products that have tailored properties at the molecular and nanostructural levels. However, quantifying and relating responses at these length scales to macroscopic properties is still a challenging task. We use a combination of custom-developed rheo-optical and rheo-FTIR apparatus, in conjunction with other experimental tools to gain insights to responses at these length scales.
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‘Synthesis, characterization and in vitro release of dendrimer-streptokinase conjugates, X. Wang, R. Inapagolla, M. Lieh-Lai, R. M. Kannan, S. Kannan, Bioconjugate Chem.(2007), In press.
‘Activity of dendrimer-methotrexate conjugates on methotrexate-sensitive and resistant cell lines, S. Gurdag, S.Staples, J. Khandare, R. M. Kannan, Bioconjugate Chemistry, 17,275 (2006)
‘Preparation, cellular transport, and activity of polyamidoamine-based dendritic nanodevices with a high drug payload’, P. Kolhe, J. Khandare, O. Pillai, S. Kannan, M. Lieh-Lai, R. M. Kannan, Biomaterials, 27,660-669, 2006
‘Supercritical CO2 dispersion of nanoclays and polymer-clay nanocomposites’, S. Horsch, G. Serhatkulu, E. Gulari, R. M. Kannan, Polymer (2006), POLYMER 47 (21) 7485-7496 Oct 4 2006
‘Deformation-induced morphology changes and orientation behavior in syndiotactic polypropylene’, M. Sevegney, G. Parthasarthy, R. M. Kannan, Macromolecules, 36(17), 6472 (2003)
‘Supercritical Fluid based process for preparing highly exfoliated nanocomposites’, E. Gulari, G.K. Serhatkulu, R. M. Kannan, US patent filed, US 20050187330, March 2004
