Nanotechnology
Developing the next generation of diagnostic and therapeutic nanoparticles. C. Shad Thaxton LabFabricating new nanomaterials and translational nanotechnology with regard to nanoparticle-based molecular diagnostics and nanotherapeutics.
Fabricating new nanomaterials and translational nanotechnology with regard to nanoparticle-based molecular diagnostics and nanotherapeutics.
Research Description
Shad Thaxton MD, PhD, invented, synthesized, and characterized the first biomimetic high-density lipoprotein nanoparticles. High density lipoproteins (HDLs) are natural nanoparticles that circulate in the human body to carry cholesterol. Cholesterol carried by HDLs is often referred to as “good cholesterol” because HDL blood levels inversely correlate with the development of cardiovascular disease. The Thaxton Group utilizes a gold nanoparticle scaffold to assemble the natural surface chemical components of HDLs to create synthetic HDL nanoparticles. The HDL nanoparticles recapitulate the size, shape, surface chemistry, and cholesterol binding properties of natural HDLs. As such, The Thaxton Lab is using these unique biomimetic materials to better understand the structure-function properties of natural HDLs and also as potential therapies for atherosclerosis and heart disease.
For more information, see the faculty profile of C. Shad Thaxton, MD, PhD
Publications
- Rink JS, Sun W, Misener S, Wang JJ, Zhang ZJ, Kibbe MR, Dravid VP, Venkatraman S, Thaxton CS. Nitric Oxide-Delivering High-Density Lipoprotein-like Nanoparticles as a Biomimetic Nanotherapy for Vascular Diseases. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, February 2018.
- Bell JB, Rink JS, Eckerdt F, Clymer J, Goldman S, Thaxton CS, Platanias LC. HDL nanoparticles targeting sonic hedgehog subtype medulloblastoma. Scientific Reports, January 2018.
- Mutharasan RK, Thaxton CS, Berry J, Daviglus ML, Yuan C, Sun J, Ayers C, Lloyd-Jones DM, Wilkins JT. HDL efflux capacity, HDL particle size, & high-risk carotid atherosclerosis in a cohort of asymptomatic older adults: The Chicago Healthy Aging Study. Journal of Lipid Research, January 2017.
View Dr. Thaxton's other publications at PubMed
Contact
Phone 312-503-1826
Lab Staff
Post-doctoral Fellows
Nick Angeloni, Kannan Mutharasan, Jonathan Rink
Graduate Students
Kaylin M. McMahon, Michael Plebanek, Sushant Tripathy, Andrea Luthi
Research Technician
Amritha Singh