Welcome to Gao Lab
Our lab innovates nanotechnology to image and perturb tumor metabolism and immunity with the goal to advance cancer care. Our pH nanosensor has received FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for precision cancer surgery. A STING-activating nanoparticle has entered first-in-human trials in patients with advanced solid tumors.
Meet the Principal Investigator
Jinming Gao, Ph.D.
Jinming Gao is a Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Cell Biology, Otolaryngology, and Pharmacology at UT Southwestern. He holds the Elaine Dewey Sammons Distinguished Chair in Cancer Research, in Honor of Eugene P. Frenkel, M.D. He is an Outstanding Investigator Awardee from the National Cancer Institute.
Gao Lab Highlights
Nanotechnology and Cancer
Our lab harness nanotechnology and tumor biology to achieve precision cancer medicine. We first deploy proton transistor nanoparticles to 'image and perturb' cancer cell metabolism and antitumor immunity. Based on the molecular and cellular responses, we are turning nanoparticles into therapeutics for cancer-targeted therapy.
All-or-nothing protonation cooperativity for a STING-activating polymer
Maggie Wang led this study to elucidate the ultra-pH sensitive behavior of PC7A, a STING-activating polymer, as a result of micelle self-assembly. She further demonstrated the use of PC7A micelles for pH precision delivery of an anticancer drug (PMID: 37541432).
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde - metabolic tale of lactic acid and lactate
Previously, Qiang et al showed sodium lactate, conjugate base of lactic acid, is surprisingly immune protective (Dr. Jekyll), which increases longevity of T cells against malignancy (PMC9448806). In this sequel, he and others show cancer cells secrete lactic acids in a polarized fashion, driving the extracellular pH below 5.3. This severe acidity is toxic to the T cells (Mr. Hyde), suggesting cell glycolysis (Warburg effect) may help cancer cells fight against immune cells.
Type I dendritic cells drive STING-mediated antitumor immunity
Jian, Suxin and Maggie elucidated the immune cell dependence of a 'shock-and-lock' STING-activating nanoparticle for tumor rejection. STING status in type I dendritic cells but not cancer cells is crucial for antitumor response. Based on these findings, a STING-DC biomarker (XCR1-STING-CXCL9) was found to predict survival outcomes of non-small cell lung cancer patients after therapy (PMC10802424).
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