A5102731339- RNA Interference and Gene Delivery
- Advanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques
- Pulsars and Gravitational Waves Research
- Gamma-ray bursts and supernovae
- Plant and animal studies
- African Botany and Ecology Studies
- Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery
- Supramolecular Self-Assembly in Materials
- Biological Control of Invasive Species
- Geophysics and Gravity Measurements
- Botanical Studies and Applications
- Nanoplatforms for cancer theranostics
- Plasmonic and Surface Plasmon Research
- Astrophysical Phenomena and Observations
- Medieval European Literature and History
- Immunotherapy and Immune Responses
- High-pressure geophysics and materials
- Rangeland Management and Livestock Ecology
- Ethnobotanical and Medicinal Plants Studies
- Agricultural pest management studies
- Genetic and Environmental Crop Studies
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Socioeconomics of Resources and Conservation
- DNA and Nucleic Acid Chemistry
- Astrophysics and Cosmic Phenomena
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
2020-2025
University of Minnesota
2012-2017
National Museums of Kenya
1996
The Adapting Agriculture to Climate Change Project set out improve the diversity, quantity, and accessibility of germplasm collections crop wild relatives (CWR). Between 2013 2018, partners in 25 countries, heirs globetrotting legacy Nikolai Vavilov, undertook seed collecting expeditions targeting CWR 28 crops global significance for agriculture. Here, we describe implementation national programs present key results. A total 4587 unique samples from at least 355 taxa were collected,...
The success of common nonviral gene delivery vehicles, lipoplexes and polyplexes, is limited by the toxicity instability these charged molecules. Stealth liposomes could provide a stable, safe alternative to cationic DNA complexes for effective delivery. encapsulations in three stealth liposomal formulations prepared thin film, reverse phase evaporation, asymmetric liposome formation were compared, film method was found produce highest yields encapsulated DNA. A quantification appropriate...
Societal Impact Statement The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 17 calls for “strong global partnerships and cooperation” to support the other SDGs. collections‐based science community offers many examples of conservation plant fungal biodiversity, sharing, repatriation aggregation data, access new technologies, supply material, strengthening capacity practitioners, benefit sharing with providers biodiversity genetic resources. Collaboration framed by workable multilateral...
Societal Impact Statement Seedbanks are vital for biodiversity conservation, but their potential remains underutilised due to a limited understanding of the intraspecific genetic diversity they hold. By leveraging digitised data associated with seedbank collections, such as sampling locations, number maternal plants and seed traits, we can attempt estimation variation identify gaps in enabling better prioritisation species conservation efforts. These advancements inform policy targets like...
Previously we identified an aptamer, named FKN-S2, which binds the cell surface protein fractalkine with high affinity and specificity. In this paper a hydrophobic dialkyl C16 tail was added to aptamer create aptamer-amphiphile. We investigated how spacer molecule of varying length hydrophobicity, inserted between headgroup, affect binding, structure, self-assembly properties synthesized aptamer-amphiphiles no (NoSPR), polyethylene glycol (PEG4, PEG8, PEG24), alkyl (C12 C24), or...
Societal Impact Statement Human‐caused habitat destruction and transformation is resulting in a cascade of impacts to biological diversity, which arguably the most fundamental species extinctions. The Global Conservation Consortia (GCC) are means pool efforts expertise across national boundaries between disciplines attempt prevent such losses focal plant groups. GCC Erica coordinates an international response extinction threats one group, heaths, or heathers, hundreds found only South...
The self-assembly of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) aptamer-amphiphiles was influenced by the choice spacer used to link hydrophobic tail and aptamer headgroup. Aptamer-amphiphiles without spacers or with hydrophilic formed globular micelles while amphiphiles bilayer nanotapes, which are first such structures DNA-amphiphiles.
A set of poly(δ-valerolactone-co-d,l-lactide)-b-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(δ-valerolactone-co-d,l-lactide) (PVLA-PEG-PVLA) triblock copolymers was synthesized and the solution properties were characterized using rheology, cryo-TEM, cryo-SEM, SANS, degradation studies. This polymer self-assembles into a low viscosity fluid with flowerlike spherical micelles in water at room temperature transforms wormlike morphology upon heating, accompanied by gelation. At even higher temperatures...
A gene delivery system was designed to carry a payload integrin overexpressing cells. Branched-polyethyleneimine (bPEI) condensed plasmid DNA encapsulated into targeted stealth liposomes, thereby combining the condensing and transfection properties of bPEI with targeting liposomal carrier system. PR_b used as ligand - peptide we bind specifically cancer cell surface marker α5β1 such robust receptor-ligand interaction achieved higher specificity than what has been previously reported for...
Nanoparticles reach the tumor through “leaky” vasculature that allows transfer of large molecules out blood stream. Once in microenvironment targeting peptides on surface nanoparticles allow specific binding by tumor-cell receptors and subsequent cell internalization. On page 3803, E. Kokkoli co-workers review recent strategies used to create peptide-targeted lipid nano-particles improve cancer therapy.