Pharmaceutics Research

Our researchers are leaders in the design, formulation, development and evaluation of safe and effective drug delivery systems.

Their work pioneers innovative drug therapies, enhancing patient outcomes and addressing critical health challenges.

Focus Areas

Aerosol Drug Delivery

This area of research focuses on delivering drugs to the lungs and nose. Work includes the design and evaluation of best aerosol drug delivery systems and devices, studying how inhaled drugs work in the lab and in living organisms, exploring the clinical effects and biopharmaceutics of new drug molecules, and emphasizing regulatory sciences to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Faculty in this focus area:

• Sandro da Rocha
• Michael Hindle
• Masahiro Sakagami

Biomarker Research and Precision Medicine

Scientists in the Center for Biomarker Research and Precision Medicine use advanced technology to identify molecular markers and develop new medications and tailored treatment for mental health conditions and substance use disorders. The team investigates shared biomarkers across psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, and substance use disorders in order to develop targeted interventions and other preventative strategies.

Faculty in this focus area:

• Karolina Aberg
• Edwin van den Oord
• Lin Y. Xie

Biopharmaceutical Analysis

Researchers in the Bioanalytical Laboratory specialize in the advanced analysis of drugs and their byproducts in biological fluids and laboratory dissolution testing. Using technology like high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), they develop techniques to identify drugs and naturally occurring compounds in a diverse array of samples, spanning biological, environmental and pharmaceutical origins.

Faculty in this focus area:

• Matthew Halquist
• Leon Kosmider
• Melissa A. Morgan

Drug Transporters

In this area of research, our scientists are leading discoveries about membrane proteins called transporters and their role in how drugs are absorbed, distributed, metabolized and excreted. Their multidisciplinary studies are revealing how drugs interact with these transporters to either cross biological barriers, like the gut lining, or be excluded from certain parts of the body, such as the brain.

Inhaled Medication Engineering

Our researchers in this area are developing new aerosol inhaler concepts and testing methods to predict inhaler efficiency. Current projects include creating synthetic lung surfactant formulations and delivery devices for infants with respiratory distress syndrome, developing a synthetic lung surfactant dry powder aerosol for hypoxemia and acute respiratory distress syndrome patients, designing high-efficiency inhalers for pediatric cystic fibrosis patients, and investigating nasal spray deposition and absorption using realistic airway models.

Faculty in this focus area:

• Michael Hindle

Nanomedicine

Research in this area aims to develop innovative drug and gene delivery systems using microscopic particles called nanocarriers. This multidisciplinary team focuses on creating new formulations that target specific tissues or cells to deliver drug treatments more effectively. Their work, which includes both lab experimentation and computer modeling, explores areas, such as the maternal-fetal interface, bacterial biofilms and bone tissue, and comprises experts in molecular biology, polymer science, physical chemistry, medical sciences and engineering.

Faculty in this focus area:

• Sandro da Rocha
• Qingguo Xu

Nanotherapeutics

The Xu Research Group focuses on the health issues of blindness, cancer and substance use disorder, including opioid use disorder, which have huge socioeconomic implications.

The lab applies engineering principles to advance understanding of the interactions of therapeutic nanoparticle platforms with biological barriers and disease pathophysiology. This knowledge guides us to better design new biomaterials and nanotherapeutic-based treatments for eye disorders, cancer, substance use disorders and other diseases.

Faculty in this focus area:

• Qingguo Xu

Ocular Drug Delivery

Research in this area aims to better understand disease mechanisms and ocular barriers while developing innovative nanomedicines for eye drug delivery. This work addresses the significant challenges of delivering drugs to the eye, aiming to improve treatments for conditions such as corneal transplantation rejection, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration and autoimmune uveitis. Their research holds the potential to impact not only eye disorders but also systemic diseases such as cancer and autoimmune conditions.

Faculty in this focus are:

• Qingguo Xu

Organic Solute Carriers

Our researchers are investigating the mechanisms of organic solute carriers, membrane transport proteins that move various organic molecules, such as nutrients, drugs and metabolic byproducts, across cell membranes. By understanding these proteins' roles in nutrient absorption, waste removal and drug transport, they aim to develop new drug therapies and improve existing ones.

Faculty in this focus area:

• Douglas Sweet

Pharmaceutical Engineering and Sciences

Researchers in the Center for Pharmaceutical Engineering and Sciences are transforming new discoveries into innovative drug products through multidisciplinary research, education and entrepreneurial projects. A partnership between the VCU School of Pharmacy and College of Engineering, the center is a state-of-the-art infrastructure core for developing pharmaceutical products.

VCU School of Pharmacy faculty in this focus area:

• Sandro da Rocha
• Yana Cen
• Matthew Halquist
• Adam Hawkridge
• Michael Hindle
• Joseph L. McClay
• Masahiro Sakagami
• Dayanjan S. Wijesinghe
• Qingguo Xu

Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacodynamics

Our research in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics focuses on how drugs function in the body and the body's response to them. Our scientists specialize in designing and analyzing studies to ensure drug safety and effectiveness during early clinical development. Their work also focuses on determining correct dosage and understanding how drug concentration in the blood affects healthy individuals and patients.

Faculty in this area:

• Phillip M. Gerk

Placental Drug Transport

Scientists in this area are studying how drugs are transferred within the body during pregnancy across the placenta. This research seeks to identify which drugs can reach the fetus during pregnancy and inform the development of safe medications for those who are pregnant and their developing babies.

Faculty in this focus area:

• Phillip M. Gerk

Proteomics

Our researchers in proteomics at the VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center Proteomics Shared Resource are developing cutting-edge mass spectrometry technologies to study proteins comprehensively. By investigating the expression, interaction, modification and degradation of proteins in organisms, they are advancing our understanding of cancer onset and progression, particularly ovarian and lung cancers. This collaborative team works at the intersection of technology and biomedical applications and in a state-of the-art lab equipped with advanced tools, including a high-performance Q-Exactive mass spectrometer, a splitless nano/microLC system with microfluidic chip technology, proteomics software for protein identification and quantification, tissue microdissection tools and cell culture equipment.

Faculty in this focus area:

• Adam Hawkridge

Pulmonary Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacology

Our scientists in this area are working to understand how drugs are processed in the lungs and their effects on the body. Using advanced in vivo and in vitro lung systems, they investigate how drugs are absorbed, metabolized, and eliminated in the lungs, assessing their potential for treating conditions such as asthma, emphysema, cystic fibrosis and other diseases. Their interdisciplinary work spans biopharmaceuticals, pharmacology and molecular biology, using diverse disease models to develop innovative inhalable drug molecules and enhance pulmonary drug treatments.

Faculty in this focus area:

• Masahiro Sakagami

Pulmonary Nanomedicine

Research in this field aims to develop innovative nanocarrier systems for delivering drugs and genetic material to precise locations within the lungs, enabling targeted release of medications to specific tissues or cells. Our scientists study how these carriers interact with biological surfaces through a combination of lab experiments and computer simulations, both in vitro and in vivo. This line of research offers additional applications in maternal-fetal health, combating bacterial infections and treating conditions in bone tissue.

Faculty in this focus area:

• Sandro da Rocha