Research Area 1: Developing an oral siRNA delivery platform for non-invasive treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases

Parenterally delivered biologics, e.g. anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF)-α, have revolutionized care of IBD

IBD is associated with many health disparities and parenteral biologic therapy further potentiates these disparities

I hypothesize that targeted oral delivery systems to deliver small interfering RNA (siRNA) to the inflammatory macrophage cells in the digestive tract can be used to reduce inflammation through knockdown of TNF-α with reduced off-target side effects and increased patient access

Challenges to delivery include the harsh pH of the stomach, enzymatic degradation, uptake of siRNA into macrophages in the intestines, and achieving endosomal escape following intracellular delivery.