Hagemeyer Group - NanoBiotechnology

Key terms: Molecular Imaging, Drug Delivery, Nanotechnology, Biotechnology

2018 group L-R Back row: Dr Be'eri Niego, A/Prof Christoph Hagemeyer Dr Karen Alt. Middle row - Prof Ole-Jakob How, Dr Rajneesh Chaudhary, Ms Rania Hashad. Front Row: Ms Shweta Jagdale, Ms Edwina Jap, Ms Akshita Rana, Ms Natasha Tan, Dr Ting-Yi Wang, Ms Jaclyn Lange. Absent: Mr Samuel Bonnet, Dr Keith Potent

Research Overview

Our main theme is the development of "bio-better" antibodies with added functionality for the treatment of thrombosis, inflammation, diabetes and cancer. Using specifically modified recombinant antibodies we can deliver small molecules, therapeutic oligos, proteins and nanoparticles with high precision and reduced adverse effects. We can achieve this with a new bio-enzymatic conjugation method allowing site-specific attachment of nano-sized delivery scaffolds without affecting antibody function. We are also active in the molecular imaging area. Using targeted natural nanoparticles, we would like to significantly increase the number of imaging labels per antibody in MRI and PET/SPECT as well as photoacoustic and fluorescence imaging. This can increase the detection limit of current approaches.

Projects and opportunities

• Targeted virus particles for gene therapy
• Antibody drug conjugates for cancer treatment
• Single-chain antibody-targeted nanoparticles for therapy and diagnosis
• Recombinant agents for efficient and safe anticoagulation as well as thrombolysis

For current project opportunity descriptions please visit our honours page

Selected publications 2013-2017

• Bonnard T, Tennant Z, Niego B, Kanojia R, Alt K, Jagdale S, Law LS, Rigby S, Medcalf RL, Peter K, Hagemeyer CE (2017) Novel thrombolytic drug based on thrombin cleavable microplasminogen coupled to a single-chain antibody specific for activated GPIIb/IIIa. Journal of the American Heart Association 6:e004535
• Richardson JJ, Choy MY, Guo J, Liang K, Alt K, Ping Y, Cui J, Law LS, Hagemeyer CE, Caruso F (2016) Polymer capsules for plaque-targeted in vivo delivery. Advanced Materials 28:7703-7
• Gunawan ST, Kempe K, Bonnard T, Cui J, Alt K, Wang X, Westein E, Such GK, Peter K, Hagemeyer CE, Caruso F (2015) Multifunctional thrombin-activatable polymer capsules for specific targeting to activated platelets. Advanced Materials 27:5153-7
• Alt K, Paterson BM, Westein E, Rudd S, Poniger SS, Jagdale S, Ardipradja K, Connell TU, Krippner GY, Nair AKN, Wang X, Tochon-Danguy HJ, Donnelly PS, Peter K, Hagemeyer CE (2015) A versatile approach for the site-specific modification of recombinant antibodies using a combination of enzyme mediated bioconjugation and ‘click chemistry’. Angewandte Chemie International Edition 54:7515-9
• Hagemeyer CE, Alt K, Johnston AP, Such GK, Ta HT, Leung MK, Prabhu S, Wang X, Caruso F, Peter K (2015) Particle generation, functionalization and sortase A-mediated modification with targeting of single-chain antibodies for diagnostic and therapeutic use. Nature Protocols 10:90-105
• Wang X, Palasubramaniam J, Gkanatsas Y, Hohmann JD, Westein E, Kanojia R, Alt K, Huang D, Jia F, Ahrens I, Medcalf RL, Peter K, Hagemeyer CE (2014) Towards effective and safe thrombolysis and thromboprophylaxis: preclinical testing of a novel antibody-targeted recombinant plasminogen activator directed against activated platelets. Circulation Research 114:1083-9

Current Grants

• NHMRC Project Grant: APP1138361 (2018-21): Degradable nanocapsules for thromboprophylaxis and treatment of acute thrombosis. PIs: Hagemeyer, Caruso
• NHMRC Industry Career Development Fellowship: APP1140465 (2018-21): Novel targeted Onco-theranostic nanoparticles for personalised therapy and real-time monitoring. PI: Alt
• NHMRC Project Grant: APP1120129 (2017-20): Molecular imaging and therapy of cardiac fibrosis in atrial fibrillation and heart failure. PIs: Hagemeyer, McMullen
• JDRF Strategic Research Grant: 3-SRA-2015-119-Q-R (2016-2018): Smart insulin delivery with targeted glucose responsive nanomaterials. PIs: Hagemeyer, Caruso, Cooper, Shaw, Allen
• NHMRC Project Grant: APP1098867 (2016-18): Novel targeted PEG nanoparticles for cancer treatment and monitoring. PIs: Alt, Paterson