Previous NCI Alliance Grantees

Centers of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence (2015-2020)

• Nucleic Acid-Based Nanoconstructs for the Treatment of Cancer
   Northwestern University
   Principal Investigators: Chad Mirkin, Ph.D., Leonidas Platanias, M.D., Ph.D.

• Nanosystems Biology Cancer Center
   California Institute of Technology
   Principal Investigators: James Heath, Ph.D., Michael Phelps, Ph.D.
• Center for Multiple Myeloma Nanotherapy
   Washington University
   Principal Investigators: Samuel Achilefu, Ph.D., Gregory Lanza, M.D., Ph.D.
• Nano Approaches to Modulate Host Cell Response for Cancer Therapy
   University of North Carolina
   Principal Investigators: Leaf Huang, Ph.D., Joel Tepper, M.D.

• Center for Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence for Translational Diagnostics (CCNE-TD)
   Stanford University
   Principal Investigators: Sanjiv Gambhir, M.D., Ph. D., Shan Wang, Ph.D.

•  MSKCC-Cornell Center for Translation of Cancer Nanomedicine
   Memorial Sloan Kettering
   Principal Investigators: Michelle Bradbury, M.D., Ph.D., Ulrich Wiesner, Ph. D.

Centers of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence (2010-2015)

• Carolina Center of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence
   University of North Carolina
   Principal Investigators: Joseph DeSimone, Ph.D., and Joel Tepper, M.D.

• Center for Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence and Translation
   Stanford University
   Principal Investigators: Sanjiv Sam Gambhir, M.D., Ph.D., and Shan Wang, Ph.D.

• Center for Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence at Johns Hopkins
   Johns Hopkins University
   Principal Investigators: Peter Searson, Ph.D., and Martin Pomper, M.D., Ph.D.

• Center for Translational Cancer Nanomedicine
   Northeastern University
   Principal Investigators: Vladimir Torchilin, Ph.D., D.Sc. and Nahum Goldberg, M.D.

• Dartmouth Center for Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence
   Dartmouth College
   Principal Investigators: Ian Baker, Ph.D., and Keith Paulsen, Ph.D.

• MIT-Harvard Center of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence
   MIT and Harvard University, Massachusetts General Hospital
   Principal Investigators: Robert Langer, Ph.D., and Ralph Weissleder, M.D., Ph.D.

• Nanomaterials for Cancer Diagnostics and Therapeutics
   Northwestern University
   Principal Investigators: Chad Mirkin, Ph.D. and Steven T. Rosen, M.D.

• Nanosystems Biology Cancer Center (NSBCC)
   California Institute of Technology
   Principal Investigator: James Heath, Ph.D., Leroy Hood, M.D., Ph.D. and Michael Phelps, Ph.D.

• Texas Center for Cancer Nanomedicine
   University of Texas Health Science Center
   Principal Investigators: David G. Gorenstein, Ph.D., Mauro Ferrari, Ph.D., Anil Sood, M.D., G. Lopez-Berestein, M.D. and Jennifer L. West, Ph.D.

Centers of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence (2005-2010)

• Carolina Center of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence
   University of North Carolina
   Principal Investigator: Rudolph Juliano, Ph.D.

• Center for Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence Focused on Therapy Response
   Stanford University
   Principal Investigator: Sanjiv Sam Gambhir, M.D., Ph.D.

• Center of Nanotechnology for Treatment, Understanding, and Monitoring of Cancer (NANO-TUMOR)
   University of California, San Diego
   Principal Investigator: Sadik Esener, Ph.D.

• Emory-Georgia Tech Nanotechnology Center for Personalized and Predictive Oncology
   Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology
   Principal Investigators: Shuming Nie, Ph.D.

• MIT-Harvard Center of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence
   MIT and Harvard University, Massachusetts General Hospital
   Principal Investigators: Robert Langer, Ph.D., and Ralph Weissleder, M.D., Ph.D.

• Nanomaterials for Cancer Diagnostics and Therapeutics
   Northwestern University
   Principal Investigator: Chad Mirkin, Ph.D.

• Nanosystems Biology Cancer Center (NSBCC)
   California Institute of Technology
   Principal Investigator: James Heath, Ph.D.

• The Siteman Center of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence
   Washington University
   Principal Investigator: Samuel Wickline, M.D.

Cancer Nanotechnology Platform Partnerships (2010-2015)

• Combinatorial-designed Nano-platforms to Overcome Tumor Resistance
   Northeastern University
   Principal Investigators: Mansoor Amiji, Ph.D., and Zhen-feng Duan, M.D., Ph.D.

• High-Capacity Nanocarriers for Cancer Therapeutics
   University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
   Principal Investigator: Alexander Kabanov, Ph.D., D.Sc.

• Magnetoresistive Sensor Platform for Parallel Cancer Marker Detection
   University of Utah
   Principal Investigators: Marc Porter, Ph.D., and Sean J. Mulvihill, M.D.

• Nanobioconjugate Based on Polymalic Acid for Brain Tumor Treatment
   Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
   Principal Investigator: Julia Ljubimova, M.D., Ph.D.

• Nanoscale Metal-Organic Frameworks for Imaging and Therapy of Pancreatic Cancer
   University of Chicago and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
   Principal Investigators: Wenbin Lin, Ph.D., and Jen Jen Yeh, M.D.

• Peptide-Directed Protocells and Virus-like Particles: New Nanoparticle Platforms for Targeted Cellular Delivery of Multicomponent Cargo
   University of New Mexico
   Principal Investigators: Cheryl Willman, M.D., and C. Jeffrey Brinker, Ph.D.

• Preclinical Platform for Theranostic Nanoparticles in Pancreatic Cancer
   Rice University
   Principal Investigators: Naomi Halas, Ph.D., D.Sc., Amit Joshi, Ph.D., and Sunil Krishnan, M.D.

• RNA Nanotechnology in Cancer Therapy
   University of Kentucky
   Principal Investigators: Peixuan Guo, Ph.D., and John Rossi, Ph.D.

• Targeting SKY Kinase in B-Lineage ALL with CD-19 Specific C-61 Nanoparticles
   Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
   Principal Investigator: Fatih Uckun, M.D., Ph.D.

• Theranostic Nanoparticles for Targeted Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer
   Emory University
   Principal Investigators: Lily Yang, M.D., Ph.D., and Hui Mao, Ph.D.

• Toxicity and Efficacy of Gold Nanoparticle Photothermal Therapy in Cancer
   Emory University
   Principal Investigators: Dong Shin, M.D., and Mostafa El-Sayed, Ph.D.

• Tumor Targeted Nanobins for the Treatment of Metastatic Breast and Ovarian Cancer
   Northwestern University
   Principal Investigators: Thomas O'Halloran, Ph.D., and Vincent Cryns, M.D.

Cancer Nanotechnology Platform Partnerships (2005-2010)

• Detecting Cancer Early with Targeted Nano-probes for Vascular Signatures
   University of California
   Principal Investigator: Douglas Hanahan, Ph.D.

• DNA-linked Dendrimer Nanoparticle Systems for Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
   University of Michigan
   Principal Investigator: James Baker Jr., M.D.

• Hybrid Nanoparticles in Imaging and Therapy of Prostate Cancer
   University of Missouri
   Principal Investigator: Kattesh Katti, Ph.D.

• Integrated System for Cancer Biomarker Detection
   Massachusetts Institute of Technology
   Principal Investigator: Scott Manalis, Ph.D.

• Metallofullerene Nanoplatform for Imaging and Treating Infiltrative Tumor
   Virginia Commonwealth University
   Principal Investigator: Panos Fatouros, Ph.D.

• Multifunctional Nanoparticles in Diagnosis and Therapy of Pancreatic Cancer
   State University of New York
   Principal Investigator: Paras Prasad, Ph.D.

• Nanotechnology Platform for Pediatric Brain Cancer Imaging and Therapy
   University of Washington
   Principal Investigator: Miqin Zhang, Ph.D.

• Nanotechnology Platform for Targeting Solid Tumors
   The Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center
   Principal Investigator: Jan Schnitzer, M.D.

• Nanotherapeutic Strategy for Multidrug Resistant Tumors
   Northeastern University
   Principal Investigator: Mansoor Amiji, Ph.D.

• Near-Infrared Fluorescence Nanoparticles for Targeted Optical Imaging
   The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
   Principal Investigator: Chun Li, Ph.D.

• Novel Cancer Nanotechnology Platforms for Photodynamic Therapy and Imaging
   Roswell Park Cancer Institute
   Principal Investigator: Ravindra K. Pandey, Ph.D.

• Photodestruction of Ovarian Cancer: ErbB3 Targeted Aptamer-Nanoparticle Conjugate
   Massachusetts General Hospital
   Principal Investigator: Tayyaba Hasan, Ph.D.

Cancer Nanotechnology Training Centers (2010-2015)

• Boston University Cross-Disciplinary Training in Nanotechnology for Cancer
   Boston University
   Principal Investigators: Bennett B. Goldberg, Ph.D., and Douglas Faller, M.D., Ph.D.

• Integrative Cancer Nanoscience and Microsystems Training Center
   University of New Mexico
   Principal Investigators: Janet M. Oliver, Ph.D., and Abhaya Datye, Ph.D.

• Midwest Cancer Nanotechnology Training Center (M-CNTC)
   University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
   Principal Investigators: Rashid Bashir, Ph.D., and Ann Nardulli, Ph.D.

• The Johns Hopkins Cancer Nanotechnology Training Center
   Johns Hopkins University
   Principal Investigators: Denis Wirtz, Ph.D., and Hai-Quan Mao, Ph.D.

• The University of Kentucky Cancer Nanotechnology Training Center
   University of Kentucky
   Principal Investigators: Bradley D. Anderson, Ph.D., and B. Mark Evers, M.D.

• UCSD Cancer Nanotechnology Training Center
   University of California, San Diego
   Principal Investigators: Robert F. Mattrey, M.D., and Andrew Kummel, Ph.D.

Pathway to Independence Awards in Cancer Nanotechnology Research (2010-2015)

• Enzyme-Responsive Nanoemulsions as Tumor-Specific Ultrasound Contrast Agents
   University of Colorado, Boulder
   Principal Investigator: Andrew P. Goodwin, Ph.D.

• Inhibition of Metastasis-Initiating Cells by Chimeric Polypeptide Nanoparticles
   University of Utah
   Principal Investigator: Mingnan Chen, Ph.D.

• Nanoplatform Based, Combinational Therapy against Breast Cancer Stem Cells
   University of Georgia
   Principal Investigator: Jin Xie, Ph.D.
  
  •Nanotechnology for Minimally Invasive Cancer Detection and Resection
   Wake Forest University Health Sciences
   Principal Investigator: Aaron M. Mohs, Ph.D.

• Next-Generation Quantum Dots for Molecular and Cellular Imaging of Cancer
   University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
   Principal Investigator: Andrew M. Smith, Ph.D.

• Theranostic Nanomedicine for Breast Cancer Prevention and Image-Guided Therapy
   University of Massachusetts, Lowell
   Principal Investigator: Prakash R. Rai, Ph.D.

• Tumor Targeting and Diagnostic Applications of Glycosylated Nanotubes
   Wake Forest University School of Medicine
   Principal Investigator: Ravi N. Singh, Ph.D.

Multidisciplinary Research Training and Team Development (2005-2010)

Multidisciplinary Research Training and Team Development Fellowship Awards were granted to the following postdoctoral trainees:

• Design of Affinity Capture Agents for Akt1 Using in situ Click Chemistry
    California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA
   Trainee: Steven W. Millward, Ph.D.

• Geldanamycin-Mediated Uptake of Nanoparticle Probes
   Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
   Trainee: Giselle M. Knudsen, Ph.D.

• Liposomal Delivery of High LET Emitters to Cell Nuclei
   Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
   Trainee: Yah-El Har-El, Ph.D.

• Nanolabels of Active Proteases for Cancer Detection
   University of California, San Francisco, California
   Trainee: Mark D. Lim, Ph.D.

• Nanoparticle-Bioconjugates as Cancer-Treating Agents
   Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
   Trainee: Sofi Bin-Salamon, Ph.D.

• Nanoprobes and Integrated Nanodevices for Cancer Detection and Treatment
   University of Colorado Health Services, Superior, CO
   Trainee: Wounjhang Park, Ph.D.

• Nanoscale Mechanisms of Hsp90 and Its Co-chaperones
   Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
   Trainee: Ivo P. Doudevski, Ph.D.

• Short-Interfering RNA-Gold Nanoparticle Bioconjugates: A New Cancer Therapy
   Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
   Trainee: Adam B. Braunschweig, Ph.D.

• Single Walled Carbon Nanotube Based Tumor Vaccines, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research
   New York, New York
   Trainee: Rena J. May, Ph.D.

• Targeted Delivery Via Protein-Carbohydrate Interactions
   Liquidia, Inc., Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
   Trainee: Ashley L. Galloway, Ph.D.

• Targeted Photoactivated Nanopartcicles for the Treatment of Ovarian Cancer
   Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
   Trainee: Daniel Neuman, Ph.D.

NCI-NSF Training Grants were awarded in 2005 to establish training programs for U.S. science and engineering doctoral students through the Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship Program (IGERT). The awarded programs were:

• Building Leadership for the Nanotechnology Workforce of Tomorrow
   University of Washington
   Principal Investigator: Marjorie Olmstead, Ph.D.

• Integrative Nanoscience and Microsystems,
   University of New Mexico
   Principal Investigator: Diana Huffaker, Ph.D.

• Nanomedical Science and Technology
   Northeastern University
   Principal Investigator: Srinivas Sridhar, Ph.D.

• NanoPharmaceutical Engineering and Science
   Rutgers University
   Principal Investigator: Fernando Muzzio, Ph.D.