Our Science

Our research focuses on improving targeted drug delivery by leveraging membrane transporters that are selectively expressed in tissues, cells, and intracellular organelles. We investigate the molecular mechanisms governing transporter-mediated uptake and develop innovative experimental tools to study these processes. By applying this knowledge, we aim to enhance therapeutic efficacy, reduce off-target effects, and enable the rational design of next-generation drug delivery strategies. While our work has traditionally focused on small molecules, we are increasingly extending our approaches to larger biomolecules, including peptides, opening new avenues for precision therapeutics.

Our research group develops novel transporter-utilizing drugs and prodrugs to enhance tissue- and cell-specific drug delivery, improve therapeutic efficacy, and reduce off-target effects. Our current research focuses on:

Brain-targeted drug delivery

Improving drug transport across the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and selectively into different brain cell populations, including neurons, astrocytes, and microglia, through transporter-mediated uptake mechanisms.

Brain–pancreas axis in neurodegenerative diseases

Investigating whether dual targeting of transporter-utilizing compounds to both the brain and pancreas can provide therapeutic benefits in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.

Transporter-based cancer therapy

Developing transporter-utilizing drugs and prodrugs that selectively accumulate in cancer cells and tumors. We also investigate how transporter expression and function are regulated within the tumor microenvironment and explore transporter-targeted strategies to modulate tumor-promoting inflammation, angiogenesis, and therapeutic responses.

Cardiovascular drug delivery (emerging research area)

Exploring how altered transporter expression and function in cardiovascular diseases influence the uptake of endogenous compounds and therapeutic agents. Our goal is to identify novel strategies for improving cardiac delivery and treatment outcomes in conditions such as heart failure.

Mitochondrial drug delivery (emerging research area)

Exploring transporter-mediated approaches for the selective delivery of therapeutic agents to mitochondria. This work aims to advance our understanding of intracellular transport processes and to develop new strategies for treating diseases linked to mitochondrial dysfunction.

Placenta-targeted drug delivery (emerging research area)

Developing transporter-mediated strategies to selectively target therapeutics to the placenta while minimizing fetal exposure. By advancing our understanding of placental transport mechanisms, we aim to improve treatments for pregnancy-related disorders and contribute to the development of maternal–fetal precision medicine.

Emerging and Exploratory Research

In addition to our main research themes, we actively pursue emerging and interdisciplinary projects that broaden our expertise in transporter biology, pharmacology, drug delivery, biomarker discovery, and disease mechanisms.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In our research group we focus on the journey of lifelong learning, although the scientific road can be a daily roll-a-coaster.

 

Read more from out webpages: https://sites.uef.fi/drug-targeting/