Infectious Disease and Immunology
Drug delivery into bacterial biofilms for the treatment of periodontal diseases.
Antimicrobial PDT and PDT for localized infection. Dr Hamblin’s laboratory has developed a panel of novel photosensitizers targeted to various pathogenic microorganisms (bacteria, fungi and viruses). A range of mouse models of localized infections employing bioluminescent pathogens and low-light imaging has been created to test the efficacy of PDT, where the photosensitizer is directly administered into the infected area followed by illumination.
We are exploring the possibility of PDT as a treatment modality for localized infections, such as leishmaniasis and tuberculosis. Although tropical ulcers caused by Leishmania major parasites essentially heal without therapeutic intervention, they can leave unsightly scars; PDT has been shown to reduce the scarring associated with this skin disease. Studies thus far have shown that successful parasite eradication is due to the synergetic effects of PDT and the activation of the immune system. Utilizing in vivo models for these infections, we are able to exploit the potential of mechanisms of PDT for future clinical trials. New models for localized granulomatous infections are being developed to better evaluate the therapeutic and diagnostic potential of photodynamic agents and optical technologies.
The overall objective of my laboratory is to study T cell biology including T cell immune homeostasis, trafficking, and differentiation using gene-targeted knockout mice and transgenic mice such as Gαi2- and Gαi3-knockout mice, and IEX-1 transgenic and knockout mice. We also exploit novel approaches through light-activated delivering of intracellular antigens for vaccine developments against infection diseases and cancers.
