Transporter-Targeted Drug Delivery

Our research group investigates how membrane transporters can be harnessed to improve targeted drug delivery and precision therapeutics. By exploiting transporters selectively expressed in different tissues, cell types, and intracellular organelles, we aim to enhance therapeutic efficacy while reducing off-target effects.

We develop novel transporter-utilizing compounds and prodrugs for:

• Brain-targeted and intra-brain drug delivery, including selective targeting of neurons, astrocytes, and microglia.
• Brain–pancreas targeting to explore novel therapeutic approaches for neurodegenerative diseases.
• Transporter-based cancer therapy, including targeted delivery of anticancer and anti-inflammatory agents.
• Cardiovascular drug delivery, focusing on how altered transporter expression and function influence therapeutic responses in heart disease.
• Placenta-targeted drug delivery, aiming to develop safer therapeutic strategies for pregnancy-related disorders while minimizing fetal exposure.
• Mitochondrial targeting, exploring transporter-mediated approaches for selective delivery of therapeutic agents to intracellular organelles.

In parallel, we investigate transporter biology, transport mechanisms, and novel experimental approaches that support the development of next-generation drug delivery systems.

Our research group embraces lifelong learning, recognizing that scientific discovery is a continuous journey of curiosity, collaboration, and innovation.

Read more about our research activities:

Website: https://sites.uef.fi/drug-targeting/
Blog: https://tmtdd.blogspot.com/