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Teruna J. Siahaan Ph.D.
Professor
Departments: Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Office: 201D Simons Email: siahaan@ku.edu Phone: (785) 864-7327 Fax: (785) 864-5736 |
Educational Background:
B.S., 1979, University of Indonesia
M.S., 1982, University of Indonesia
Ph.D., 1986, University of Arizona
Postdoctoral Fellow, 1986-1987, U.C. Santa Barbara
Research Group:
- Mohammed AlSalman: Graduate Student
- Ahmed Alaofi: Graduate Student
- Vivitri Dewi: Research Scholar
- Paul Kiptoo: Postdoctoral Fellow
- John Stewart: Graduate Student
Research Interests:
Cell Adhesion Molecules; Targeted Delivery to Leukocytes; Targeting the Immunological Synapse; Modulation of Intercellular Junctions; Improving Paracellular Drug Permeation
PROFESSOR SIAHAAN's research interests are in the utilization and modulation of cell adhesion molecules on the cell surface for targeted drug delivery to a specific cell type and for enhancing drug permeation through the intestinal mucosa and blood-brain barrier (BBB). Currently, his group is using peptides derived from cell adhesion molecules (i.e., ICAM-1 and LFA-1) to target drugs to leukocytes and vascular endothelial cells in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases (i.e., rheumatoid arthritis). Cell adhesion peptides are being used to target antigenic peptides (i.e., bi-functional peptide inhibitor (BPI)) to block the formation of the immunological synapse at the interface between T cells and antigen presenting cells (APC). BPI molecules have been shown to suppress autoimmune disease models such as type-1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis. Finally, Dr. Siahaan’s group is using E-cadherin peptides to enhance permeation of large hydrophilic molecules (i.e., peptides and proteins) through the intestinal mucosa and BBB. The hypothesis is that E-cadherin peptides modulate the E-cadherin interactions at the intercellular junctions to create larger openings that will allow paracellular permeation of large hydrophilic molecules (e.g., peptides and proteins).
Research Related News:
KUJH TV News on Drug Targeting
KU Multimedia Reporting on Drug Targeting
KU News Release on BPI Molecules
Mid America MS Society News on BPI Molecules
Publications:
For a listing of Dr. Siahaan's publications, see the link below:
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