Dr. Andrew Tsourkas
University of Pennsylvania
Friday, April 24, 2026
12:00 Noon
Room 120 – Meyerhoff Chemistry Building
Host: Dr. Marie-Christine Daniel
“Engineering Molecular Platforms for Precision Therapy in Oncology”
The advancement of modern precision medicine relies on the development of versatile molecular platforms capable of overcoming distinct biological barriers. This seminar explores a range of chemical and biochemical strategies designed to enhance therapeutic targeting and efficacy. Through the engineering of specialized molecular scaffolds, specific challenges in cancer treatment and intracellular signaling regulation are addressed. First, the development of theranostic nanoparticles will be discussed, utilizing phthalocyanine and naphthalocyanine dyes encapsulated within polymeric micelles. These agents are designed to integrate high-contrast photoacoustic (PA) imaging with photothermal therapy (PTT). The presentation will explore the design principles behind these NIR-responsive nanoparticles and their potential for localized tumor ablation. To address the physical limitations often encountered with nanoparticle-based delivery, a second project involves the engineering of a compact, targeted fusion protein. This agent consists of a HER2/neu-targeted affibody fused to a helical bundle scaffold labeled with a high density of near-infrared dyes. This platform is designed to achieve high molecular specificity and improved distribution within solid tumors by optimizing the balance between therapeutic payload and physical size. Finally, a modular strategy for the cytosolic delivery of recombinant “bioPROTACs” will be presented to facilitate the degradation of traditionally “undruggable” proteins. By engineering protein-based degraders that can be complexed with lipid nanoparticles via electrostatic interactions, a method has been developed to harness the cell’s internal machinery for the rapid, targeted elimination of intracellular targets. Collectively, these projects illustrate how diverse molecular platforms, ranging from nanoparticles to fusion proteins, can be tailored to meet specific clinical and biological requirements.