Dr. Aditya Kunjapur's lab at the University of Delaware focuses on innovative vaccine development to combat bacterial diseases. They are exploring ways to enhance the immune system's recognition of bacterial antigens by modifying them to improve their visibility. The lab uses a benign bacterium to create a new vaccination platform that is shelf-stable and can be administered orally, which could revolutionize how vaccines are delivered in places with limited resources.

Dr. Kristi Kiick's lab at the University of Delaware focuses on developing innovative drug delivery systems to treat post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA). Their research aims to create a new way to deliver medications directly to injured joints in a controlled manner, which could significantly improve outcomes for patients suffering from joint injuries. By using collagen-targeting techniques and temperature-responsive materials, the lab hopes to enhance the effectiveness of existing drugs and reduce their rapid clearance from the body.

Dr. Marianthi Ierapetritou's research lab at the University of Delaware focuses on improving the manufacturing of monoclonal antibodies, which are important for many medical treatments. The lab combines experimental work with computational modeling to optimize the processes used in both growing cells and purifying the antibodies. By developing predictive models, the lab aims to make the production process more efficient and reliable, benefiting both industry and regulatory bodies like the FDA.

Dr. Millicent O'Sullivan's lab at the University of Delaware focuses on innovative strategies to enhance healing in diabetic foot ulcers. The research combines collagen-mimetic peptides with gene-modified collagens to improve the delivery of growth factors directly to chronic wounds. By understanding how to optimize these therapeutic biomaterials, the lab aims to significantly reduce the incidence of amputations and improve overall patient outcomes.