Kam W. Leong, James B. Duke Professor

Professor Leong's research interest focuses on biomaterials design, particularly on synthesis of nanoparticles for DNA-based therapeutics, and nanostructured biomaterials for regenerative medicine
Biomaterials Design:
- design of self-assembled fibers for tissue engineering
- microfluidics-mediated synthesis of multifunctional nanoparticles for drug and gene delivery
- synthesis of novel quantum dots for biomedical applications
Controlled Drug and Gene Delivery:
- oral gene delivery for hemophilia A and B
- non-viral gene delivery to the GI tract
- oral delivery of antigen genes for vaccination
Tissue Engineering:
- study of response of stem cells to nanotopographical cues
- expansion of hematopoietic stem cells
- nerve guidance channels with drug and gene delivery functions
- microencapsulation of stem cells and genetically-engineered cells
- development of bioartificial nucleus pulposus device
- study of interaction of stem cells with synthetic nanostructured biomaterials
Office Location: | 1395 CIEMAS |
Email Address: | ![]() ![]() |
Web Page: | http://www.leonglab.pratt.duke.edu/ |
- Education:
- PhD, University of Pennsylvania, 1987
- Postdoc, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), 1985
- BS, University of California, 1977
- Postdoc, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), 1985
- Research Interests:
Leong's research interest focuses on biomaterials design, particularly on synthesis of nanoparticles for DNA-based therapeutics, and nanostructured biomaterials for regenerative medicine.
- Specialties:
-
Biological Materials
Drug Delivery
Tissue Repair, Tissue Engineering
Biophotonics
Nanoscience
- Awards, Honors, and Distinctions
National Academy of Engineering
Stansell Family Distinguished Research Award, 2010
3M Pharmaceuticals Recognition Award, Controlled Release Society, 1996
Award for Recognition of Pioneering Contribution in Polymer chemistry and Bioomedical Engineering, Chinese-American Chemical Society, 1995
Capsugel Award on Innovative Aspects of Controlled Release Research, Controlled Release Society, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001
Cygnus Recognition Award, Controlled Release Society, 1997
Excellence in Guidance of Graduate Student Research, Controlled Release Society
Jorge Heller Manuscript Award, Journal of Controlled Release, 2007
Proctor & Gamble Recognition Award, Controlled Release Society, 1993
Young Investigator Research Achievement Award, Controlled Release Society, July, 1994
- Representative Publications
(More Publications)
- Ho, Y. P. and Leong, K. W., Quantum dot-based theranostics, Nanoscale, vol. 2 no. 1 (2010), pp. 60-68 [PDF] [abs].
- Yim, E. K. F. and Darling, E. M. and Kulangara, K. and Guilak, F. and Leong, K. W., Nanotopography-induced changes in focal adhesions, cytoskeletal organization, and mechanical properties of human mesenchymal stem cells, Biomaterials, vol. 31 no. 6 (2010), pp. 1299-1306 [PDF] [abs].
- Chen, S. and Jones, J. A. and Xu, Y. and Low, H. Y. and Anderson, J. M. and Leong, K. W., Characterization of topographical effects on macrophage behavior in a foreign body response model, Biomaterials, vol. 31 no. 13 (2010), pp. 3479-91 [PDF] [abs].
- Chen, H. H. and Ho, Y. P. and Jiang, X. and Mao, H. Q. and Wang, T. H. and Leong, K. W., Simultaneous non-invasive analysis of DNA condensation and stability by two-step QD-FRET, Nano Today, vol. 4 no. 2 (2009), pp. 125-134 [PDF] [abs].
- Oney, S. and Lam, R. T. S. and Bompiani, K. M. and Blake, C. M. and Quick, G. and Heidel, J. D. and Liu, J. Y. C. and Mack, B. C. and Davis, M. E. and Leong, K. W. and Sullenger, B. A., Development of universal antidotes to control aptamer activity, Nature Medicine, vol. 15 no. 10 (2009), pp. 1224-1228 [PDF] [abs].