Mauro Ferrari, Ph.D. 1989, University of California, Berkeley UT-Houston Institute of Molecular Medicine NanoMedicine Contact Information

Research Interests: Biomedical nanotechnology; translational science; medical therapeutics in drug delivery application in oncology, cardiovascular disease and diabetes; biosensors and bioseparation technology; multiscale discrete/continuum mechanics and biomechanics

Research in my laboratory is directed at the early detection of disease from biological fluids, the autonomous (time-controlled and spatially directed) delivery of therapeutics agents, the continuous monitoring of disease progression, and the real-time evaluation of the efficacy of therapeutic intervention. We have completed work that demonstrates how silicon-based implants can be engineered to provide long-term therapeutic delivery for treatment of chronic and acute conditions. Our laboratory has pioneered the development of proteomic nanodevices for analysis of low-concentration biomarkers in biological fluids.

Depending on the student’s interests, a tutorial in my laboratory would provide experience in working with silicon-based nanotechnologies for drug delivery, proteomics, or cell transplantation. The laboratory will also provide training opportunities in the multiscale mathematical modeling of biological phenomena in health and disease.
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Cristini, V., Frieboes, H., Gatenby, R., Caserta, S., Ferrari, M., and Sinek, J.: “Morphological instability and cancer invasion. Clinical Cancer Research. 11(19), October 1, 2005.

Sakamoto, J.H., Smith, B.R., Xie, B., Rokhlin, S.I., Lee, S.C., and Ferrari, M.: The molecular analysis of breast cancer utilizing targeted nanoparticle based ultrasound contrast agents. Technology in Cancer Research & Treatment. 4(6):627-636, December 2005.

Cheng, M.C., Cuda, G., Bunimovich,Y., Gaspari, M., Heath, J.R., Hill, H.D., Mirkin, C.A., Nijdam, A.J., Terracciano, R., Thundat, T., and Ferrari, M., “Nanotechnologies for biomolecular detection and medical diagnostic. Current Opinion in Chemical Biology. 10(1):11-19, 2006.

Nijdam, A.J., Cheng, M.C., and Ferrari, M.: X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy depth profile of chemically modified porous silicon. Vac Sci & Technol. B 24(2):852-854, 2006.

Decuzzi, P., Causa, F., Ferrari, M., and Netti, P.A.: The effective dispersion of nanovectors within the microvasculature. Ann Biomed Eng. 2006 Apr;34(4):633-41, April 2006. Epub March 28, 2006.