Achievement

Ellen Dengler, a Ph.D. student in the Department of Neurosciences, pursues research centered on trying to improve the gene delivery for the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Because of the collaborative nature of the INCBN IGERT program, she is working directly with a group at Sandia National Laboratories that has developed a silica nanoparticle platform to deliver the gene via intrathecal injection to the spinal cord. The collaboration with her co-mentor, initiated by her involvement with the IGERT program, has allowed to deliver the gene on a much smaller platform than was used previously. By attending a class on "Colloidal Nanocrystals for Biomedical Applications", the Trainee has acquired a broad knowledge about nanocrystals, such as information regarding their synthesis, characterization, and applications in biology and medicine. She would not have been exposed to this information without the IGERT fellowship.