Dr. Jinming Gao is a Professor of Oncology and Pharmacology in the Department of Pharmacology, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center at UT Southwestern Medical Center. He also holds a joint appointment in the Department of Chemistry and Department of Bioengineering at UT Dallas. More »

Our main research focus is to design, develop and evaluate novel nanomaterials and nanoarchitectures for cancer molecular imaging and targeted therapeutic applications. Two design principles are emphasized throughout research: (1) understand tumor pathophysiology and identify key cancer targets to improve biological specificity, and (2) build innovative nanomedicine platforms with non-linear bioresponsive properties to achieve diagnostic and therapeutic efficacy.

Each project involves multifaceted scientific inquiries in nanomaterial synthesis and supramolecular self-assembly, fluorescent and MR molecular imaging, cancer biology and others. Design of new nanomaterials with unique physical properties arising from nanoscale (but absent in the molecular or bulk states) and can interact with biological systems in non-linear dynamics are particularly seeked to amplify biological signals to improve imaging and therapeutic outcomes. More »

Our lab members are from diverse scientific disciplines in polymer science, physico-organic chemistry, bioengineering, molecular and cell biology, diagnostic imaging, and others. Each lab member develops a focal area of expertise and our successes capitalize on synergistic collaborations among team members. The broad spectrum of scientific expertise and collaborative spirits enable the rapid development of new ideas and devices from bench to bed, and lab to the clinics. Meet the Team »

April 2012, a multi-colored, pH-tunable nanoparticle platform is developed with independent control of emission wavelength and pH transition. These nanoparticles will be useful for probing many cell physiological processes in the endocytic pathway (J Am Chem Soc). PDF

March 2012, a CPRIT (Texas Cancer Fund) grant is received to develop β-lapachone prodrug micelles for targeted therapy of non-small cell lung cancer (with Dr. David Boothman). The award will support preclinical safety and antitumor efficacy studies aiming for clinical translations.

November 2011, a CPRIT (Texas Cancer Fund) award is received to develop tumor-activatable nanoprobes for image-guided resection of head and neck cancers.

November 2011, a dual pH-responsive micelleplex is shown to overcome the endosomal barriers for siRNA delivery in cancer cells. Combination of proton sponge effect from endosome-sensitive polymers (balloon swelling) with amphotericin B (needle puncture) allows for efficient siRNA release into cytosol leading to more efficacious gene knockdowns (ACS Nano). PDF More »