Luiza I. Hernandez

TL;DR: A novel cell-based selection methodology is described that enables the identification of cell-internalizing RNA aptamers for targeting therapeutic siRNAs to HER2-expressing breast cancer cells, and it is demonstrated that, when applied to cells, the HER2 aptamer-Bcl-2 siRNA conjugates selectively internalize into HER2+-cells and silence Bcl- 2 gene expression.

TL;DR: The thorough preclinical characterization of an RNA aptamer (A9g) that functions as a smart drug for PC by inhibiting the enzymatic activity of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is described and critical endpoints for the translation of a novel RNA smart drug are demonstrated.

TL;DR: A molecular imaging approach for the specific, noninvasive detection of S. aureus based on the activity of the S.aureus secreted nuclease, micrococcal nUClease, which has potential clinical applicability for infections with S.Aureus and several other medically important pathogens.

TL;DR: A fast, specific and sensitive homogeneous assay for Staphylococcus aureus detection was developed by measuring the activity of secreted nuclease from the bacteria via a modified DNA oligonucleotide, formed by nucleic acid oligos and magnetic or mesoporous silica nanoparticles.

TL;DR: The first demonstration of an engineered single molecular gate that directs nanoparticles to cancer cells and subsequently delivers the payload in a controllable fashion is reported.