Mentor:  David T. Curiel, M.D., Ph.D.
Undergraduate Institution:  University of Delhi, India
Entered CMPh Program:  Fall 2004
Phone:  205.975.2960 / Fax: 205.975.2961
Email:  vsaini@physiology.uab.edu

RESEARCH INTEREST

Cancer is a complex and progressive disease. Treatment of cancer patients is still as much of a challenge as it was before. The use of chemotherapy, radiation and surgery is fraught with obvious disadvantages. Gene therapy holds great promise in this fight against cancer.  

Gene therapy and nanotechnology are two of the most controversial and promising fields currently driving the scientific world.  

Nanoparticles can be used for imaging and therapy of tumors. But one of the major hurdles we must overcome is the targeted delivery of nanoparticles specifically to the cancer cells.

My lab has been quite successful in targeting of tumors by using tropism modified adenoviruses. I am working on development of methods for efficient and specific delivery of different types of nanoparticles to the tumor cells using modified adenoviruses.

Division of  Human Gene Therapy
901 19th Street South
BMR2, Room 574
Birmingham, AL 35294