Researchers associated with the Program of Excellence in Nanotechnology (PEN) are pursuing nanoscale technologies to diagnose and treat cardiovascular disease, a leading cause of death. 

PEN is a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary program that integrates bioengineering and cardiology expertise. The program’s long-term goal is to develop nanotechnology and biomolecular engineering tools and methodologies to detect and analyze (at the molecular level) the formation of atherosclerotic plaque. The program’s research may result in methodologies that directly impact clinical practices and improve the detection, diagnosis and treatment of atherosclerosis.  

The program incorporates expertise in basic vascular biology, biomolecular engineering, biomedical imaging, fluid mechanics, and cardiac surgery.

One out of every four Americans has cardiovascular disease, and every 30 seconds one person dies from this disease. Although significant advances have been made in management and treatment, the molecular mechanisms responsible for plaque formation remain a mystery. As a result, early detection is difficult, leading to a high rate of morbidity and mortality. 

Worth noting: The program is one of four projects that received five-year awards in 2005 from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), one of National Institutes of Health (NIH), as part of the NHLBI’s Program of Excellence in Nanotechnology. The NHLBI program brings together bioengineers, materials scientists, biologists, and physicians into interdisciplinary teams.

Institutions involved: Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University  

Research focus: In general, the program’s research focuses on developing nanotechnologies that can be applied to the analysis and detection of plaque formation on artery walls (atherogenesis).

The program’s research includes projects in several areas:

• Nanostructured probes to study the molecular mechanisms of plaque formation
• Quantum-dot-based probes to study protein interactions in cells
• Quantum-dot-based probes for in vivo detection and analysis of plaques
• Magnetic nanoparticle probes for in vivo plaque detection
• Nanoparticle-based therapy for atherosclerosis
• Probes for detecting oxidative stress in living cells 

External funding: The program was awarded $11.5 million from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), one of National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 2005.

Web site: http://pen.bme.gatech.edu/