E. Appel

Star-polymers as potent broad-spectrum extracellular virucidal antivirals

This paper discovers a broad-spectrum, non-toxic polymer virucide effective against multiple viruses at nanomolar concentrations, showing efficacy in a murine RSV model.

Generation of an inflammatory niche in an injectable hydrogel depot through recruitment of key immune cells improves efficacy of mRNA vaccines

This paper improves mRNA vaccine efficacy by creating an inflammatory immune niche via injectable hydrogel depots that recruit immune cells and enhance humoral responses.

Defining Structure-Function Relationships of Amphiphilic Excipients Enables Rational Design of Ultra-Stable Biopharmaceuticals

The paper designs ultra-stable biopharmaceutical excipients by analyzing structure-function relationships of amphiphilic polymers, significantly improving insulin stability.

Sustained vaccine exposure elicits more rapid, consistent, and broad humoral immune responses to multivalent influenza vaccines

This study shows sustained delivery of multivalent influenza vaccines via polymer-nanoparticle hydrogels enhances rapid, consistent, and broad humoral immunity against homologous and heterologous strains.

AAV eluting lenses for single-step targeted expression of genetically- encoded activity sensors for in vivo microendoscopic calcium imaging

This paper develops AAV-eluting lenses for single-step targeted expression of GCaMP in vivo, improving alignment and surgical flexibility for microendoscopic calcium imaging.

Saponin Nanoparticle Adjuvants Incorporating Toll-Like Receptor Agonists Drive Distinct Immune Signatures and Potent Vaccine Responses

This paper develops a modular saponin-based nanoparticle adjuvant platform incorporating TLR agonists, showing improved vaccine potency and breadth against COVID-19 and HIV in mice.

A regimen compression strategy for commercial vaccines leveraging an injectable hydrogel depot technology for sustained vaccine exposure

This paper develops an injectable hydrogel depot technology for sustained rabies vaccine delivery, showing a single dose can match a standard prime-boost regimen in mice.

Nanoparticle-Conjugated TLR9 Agonists Improve the Potency, Durability, and Breadth of COVID-19 Vaccines

This paper develops CpG nanoparticle adjuvants that enhance the potency, durability, and breadth of COVID-19 vaccines by improving antigen delivery and immune response.

Broad and Durable Humoral Responses Following Single Hydrogel Immunization of SARS-CoV-2 Subunit Vaccine

This study develops a single-dose SARS-CoV-2 subunit vaccine using hydrogel technology that generates rapid, broad, and durable humoral immunity compared to traditional multi-dose regimens.

Injectable polymer-nanoparticle hydrogel for the sustained intravitreal delivery of bimatoprost

This paper develops an injectable polymer-nanoparticle hydrogel for sustained intravitreal delivery of bimatoprost, showing prolonged drug release and minimal inflammation in rabbits.

Stable High-Concentration Monoclonal Antibody Formulations Enabled by an Amphiphilic Copolymer Excipient

This paper introduces an amphiphilic copolymer excipient that enhances the stability of high-concentration monoclonal antibody formulations without affecting pharmacokinetics or injectability.

Delivery of CAR-T Cells in a Transient Injectable Stimulatory Hydrogel Niche Improves Treatment of Solid Tumors

This paper develops an injectable hydrogel to co-deliver CAR-T cells and cytokines, enhancing solid tumor treatment in mice by creating a transient inflammatory niche.

Injectable Liposome Based Supramolecular Hydrogels for the Programmable Release of Multiple Protein Drugs

This paper develops injectable liposomal hydrogels that enable the programmed release of multiple protein drugs in vivo.

A cGAMP-containing hydrogel for prolonged SARS-CoV-2 RBD subunit vaccine exposure induces a broad and potent humoral response

A cGAMP-containing hydrogel vaccine enhances RBD subunit vaccine efficacy by enabling sustained antigen and adjuvant delivery, resulting in broader and more potent antibody responses.

Injectable Nanoparticle-Based Hydrogels Enable the Safe and Effective Deployment of Immunostimulatory CD40 Agonist Antibodies

This paper develops injectable hydrogels to safely deliver CD40 agonist antibodies, reducing toxicity while maintaining anti-cancer efficacy in a melanoma model.

Hydrogel-based slow release of a receptor-binding domain subunit vaccine elicits neutralizing antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2

This study shows that slow release of an RBD subunit vaccine via hydrogel enhances neutralizing antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2 compared to bolus administration.

MRBLEs 2.0: High-throughput generation of chemically functionalized spectrally and magnetically-encoded hydrogel beads using a simple single-layer microfluidic device

The paper introduces MRBLEs 2.0, a method for high-throughput synthesis of functionalized microspheres with spectral and magnetic encoding, demonstrating efficient conjugation of biomolecules and magnetic nanoparticle incorporation.