Therapeutics

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Vanderbilt researchers have developed an injectable drug delivery vehicle using microparticles (MPs) that not only provide sustained cargo delivery over extended time but also play a therapeutic role themselves in reducing inflammation. This drug delivery platform can be used in treating ocular diseases such as glaucoma and traumatic optic neuropathy, as well as other inflammatory diseases throughout the body like peripheral arterial disease and osteoarthritis.

Vanderbilt researchers have developed a combination photodynamic therapy (PDT) for targeting MRSA infections in skin that is not only effective but also HIGHLY SPECIFIC and LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO RESISTANCE, adding a much needed therapy to our quickly depleting arsenal against this pathogen.

The research team has found that one of the key regulators of collagen production in fibrotic diseases is the FUS ribonucleoprotein. This protein is upregulated in fibrotic diseases leading to additional collagen formation and deposition. In order to combat FUS upregulation, a new approach to blocking nuclear translocation has been developed using an FUS targeting peptide approach.

Sjögren's syndrome (SjS) is a common and debilitating autoimmune disease, causing dry eye symptoms ranging from discomfort to dysfunction. Vanderbilt researchers have identified orally administered levocarnitine as a novel potential therapeutic for treating this condition.