Medina-Kauwe Lab
The Medina-Kauwe Lab, utilizes the cell binding, membrane penetration and intracellular trafficking functions of pathogen proteins to develop novel cell-targeted nanotherapeutics. Currently, the lab studies the cell entry processes of adenovirus (Ad) capsid proteins to guide the design and engineering of non-viral nanoparticles that mimic the high efficiency cell entry mechanism of the virus while avoiding the safety concerns associated with using whole viruses for therapy. The Medina-Kauwe Lab has further enhanced these molecules by converting them into molecular missiles to target specific cancer cells for destruction while sparing non-target cells. These molecular missiles are being assembled to deliver several different types of therapeutic payloads to cancer cells, including:
- Genes - used for the expression of therapeutic proteins.
- Drugs - such as toxic agents to destroy cancer cells.
- Small interfering RNA (siRNA) - to suppress mutant or cancerous genes.
Breakthrough Research
- Developing a Tumor-Targeted Cell Penetration Protein
- HerDox: A Chemotherapy Smart-Bomb
- HerGa:Tumor Imaging and Tumor-Killing in a Single Nanoparticle
- H2PO and HerSi: Targeted Gene Expression and Gene Silencing
Publications
Learn more about the recent research publications from the Medina-Kauwe Lab.
Laboratory Team
Learn more about the scientists, faculty members, investigators, and other healthcare professionals of the Medina-Kauwe Lab, whose dedicated efforts lead to groundbreaking discoveries.
Job Opportunities
We are actively recruiting students and postdocs to be our colleagues and expand lab knowledge and expertise to make important breakthroughs.
Collaborations
The Medina-Kauwe Lab collaborates with a wide range of investigators within Cedars-Sinai and institutions around the world.
- Biomedical Imaging Research Institute
- Cancer Institute
- Cui Laboratory
- Department of Biomedical Sciences
- Molecular Targeting Research Community
- PhD Program in Biomedical and Translational Sciences
- Women's Cancer Program
Contact the Medina Kauwe Lab
8700 Beverly Blvd.
Davis Building, Room 3005
Los Angeles, CA 90048