SCMS Seminar: Lipid-Like Ionic Liquids as a Promising Frontier for Gene Delivery

SCMS Seminar
Lipid-Like Ionic Liquids as a Promising Frontier for Gene Delivery

Dr. Arsalan Mirjafari
Professor of Chemistry
SUNY Oswego

Abstract:
The success of gene therapy and gene vaccines relies on using vectors that are effective, stable, and safe. Synthetic cationic lipids are a class of materials that are being increasingly exploited for these purposes as they feature the aforementioned characteristics as opposed to viral vectors which, despite displaying high transfection efficiency, have associated major toxicity concerns. For over that past ten years, my laboratory has been focused on rational design of new lipid-like ionic liquids with a diverse array of applications such as biomolecule preservation and storage, bio-inspired materials, and most notably, gene delivery. We use click chemistry-mediated synthetic strategies to incorporate a diverse array of functional groups into the structures of ionic liquids. Our endeavors have been spurred by the critical need for vectors in gene therapy and gene vaccines that exhibit both efficacy and safety ‒ a need that traditional viral vectors, despite their high transfection efficiency, fail to fulfill due to significant toxicity concerns. Lipid-like ionic liquids are compounds bearing long aliphatic appendages and exhibit high fluidity and amphiphilic activity, a hallmark property of synthetic lipids. They can offer a compelling mixture of effectiveness, stability, and safety crucial for the clinical success of gene therapy.

Bio
Arsalan Mirjafari is the Dr. Richard S. Shineman Endowed Chair and Professor in Chemistry in the Chemistry Department of the State University of New York at Oswego (SUNY Oswego). His research centers on the click-enabled synthesis of novel functional ionic liquids with the overarching goal of uncovering specific molecular and biomaterials functions. This encompasses diverse applications, including vaccine preservation, gene delivery, lipid-like materials, battery electrolytes, and direct air capture of CO2. He earned his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from University of Isfahan in 2009 and completed postdoctoral training with Prof. Jim Davis at University of South Alabama (2010 ‒ 2012).

Intended Audience:
All are Welcome!

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