Kashif Maroof, PhD
Kashif Maroof, PhD

Host Institution:

Sabancı University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SUNUM)

Supervisor:

Rükan Genç Altürk, PhD

Co-Supervisor:

İhsan Gürsel, PhD

Project Name:

Designing Peptide-Modified Liposomal Therapy for Liver Cancer: Microfluidic Insights into Precision Targeting and Efficacy

Project Summary:

This project aims to advance liver cancer treatment by designing a next-generation liposomal drug delivery system functionalized with a tumor-targeting peptide. By integrating targeted nanotechnology with advanced characterization techniques, the research seeks to enhance therapeutic precision, stability, and efficacy.

Key objectives include the optimization of liposome synthesis and peptide conjugation strategies, followed by drug encapsulation to improve selective delivery to tumor cells. Cutting-edge characterization methods—such as super-resolution microscopy (STORM/PAINT), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)—will be employed to assess size, morphology, peptide distribution, and drug loading at the single-particle level.

Building upon these findings, the study will refine the nanocarrier formulation to optimize targeting efficiency and stability. Advanced in vitro models that better mimic the tumor microenvironment will be used to evaluate the therapeutic performance and targeting specificity of the developed liposomes.

By combining innovations in peptide engineering, nanotechnology, and bioimaging, this project aspires to deliver safer, more effective therapies for liver cancer, paving the way for future personalized treatment strategies. The outcomes will provide new insights into the rational design of targeted nanomedicines and contribute to the broader advancement of precision oncology.