A mitochondrial-targeted gene therapy (mLumiOpto) for cancer treatment

We will hear from Profs. Lufang Zhou and X. Margaret Liu on their work with light-induced gene therapy for cancer treatment.
In a new study, scientists combined strategies to deliver energy-disrupting gene therapy using nanoparticles manufactured to zero in only on cancer cells. Experiments showed the targeted therapy is effective at shrinking glioblastoma brain tumors and aggressive breast cancer tumors in mice. 

The research team overcame a significant challenge to break up structures inside these cellular energy centers, called mitochondria, with a technique that induces light-activated electrical currents inside the cell. They named the technology mLumiOpto.

Lufang Zhou, PhD
Professor, Surgery
Professor, Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology
Professor, Biomedical Engineering 

X. Margaret Liu, PhD
Professor, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Professor, Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology