Media Mentions
Novel allergen inhibitor successfully prevents peanut reaction in mice
April 19, 2023
As Başar Bilgiçer co-author of the study explained, the reality is that “in the case of peanut allergy, there is no pathogen, just peanut proteins.”
Peanut allergy drug staves off anaphylaxis for 2 weeks with a single dose
February 13, 2023
“These new findings suggest that cHBI has the potential to be an effective preventative for peanut-specific allergic responses in patients,” said co-senior author Basar Bilgicer, Ph.D.
WSBT TV
Severe peanut allergy breakthrough by Indiana University and Notre Dame researchers
February 10, 2023
Professor Basar Bilgicer and his students have been hard at work on this project. It's one he's been invested in since 2008 and it's not a program that could've been rushed.
Originally published at news.nd.edu.
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WSBT TV
Severe peanut allergy breakthrough by Indiana University and Notre Dame researchers
February 09, 2023
“Sometimes, we do have quantum leaps and make a huge discovery that may take us from one point to the next in a single experiment. this is not one of them, we had to take small steps every day to keep moving, just like the story of the tortoise and the hare,” said Basar Bilgicer, professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering at Notre Dame.
PBS
Peanut Allergies are on the Rise. This Chemical Compound Could Prevent Life-Threatening Reactions.
April 08, 2019
“Our method is a high precision tool that can block the responsible [immune molecules] and nothing else,” Bilgicer says. “Hopefully, that means it will start working from day one.”
ABC57
One Notre Dame team is facing a different opponent--allergies
September 24, 2016
“ What we are trying to do is understand the allergy and the allergens very specifically at the molecular level so that we can design inhibitors that will selectively inhibit only the molecules, the immune components that are responsible for the allergy response,” said Notre Dame professor Basar Bilgicer.
Fighting to Cure Food Allergies
September 14, 2016
Professor Basar Bilgicer hopes to make allergies, and the accompanying anxiety and trauma, a thing of the past.
Synergistic Dual Drug Liposomes in Multiple Myeloma
July 05, 2016
Synergistic Dual Drug Liposomes in Multiple Myeloma
Ashley et al. Page 1452
Nanoparticular drug delivery formulations typically provide a significant advantage over the free drug alternatives. To investigate the advantages of a dual drug–loaded combination nanoparticular delivery system in multiple myeloma, Ashley and colleagues designed, synthesized, and evaluated carfilzomib and doxorubicin dual-loaded combination nanoparticles at their synergistic ratio. The dual drug–loaded nanoparticles exhibited synergy in vitro and delivered considerably higher efficacy in inhibiting tumor growth in vivo compared with the free drug combination, while simultaneously reducing systemic toxicity. These results indicate utilizing nanoparticles as drug delivery vehicles for combinatorial therapeutics can have a significant impact on patient outcomes.
Inside Indiana Business
Student Startup Builds ‘Bubbles’ to Deliver Cancer Drugs
May 26, 2016
A student-run startup at the University of Notre Dame is generating buzz among pharmaceutical companies searching for better ways to deliver cancer-fighting drugs. Certus Therapeutics, which recently captured the top prize at the university’s annual McCloskey Business Plan Competition, says its technology could greatly reduce the toxic effects of chemotherapy and other cancer treatments. The young company hasn’t discovered a drug, but rather, a novel delivery method for existing medications that could prevent cancer patients from feeling even sicker.
South Bend Tribune
Cancer treatment system wins Notre Dame contest
February 26, 2016
The nanoparticle technology underlying Certus’ Lypos platform was developed by Basar Bilgicer, an associate professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering.
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South Bend Tribune
Touched by the Kelly Cares Foundation
July 06, 2014
One of the projects Kelly Cares funds flow into is that of Notre Dame assistant professor of chemical engineering and biomolecular engineering Basar Bilgicer.
Bilgicer has unlocked nanotechnology concepts other scientists have been pursuing for decades. In oversimplified terms, what that means to cancer patients is he is moving toward a solution in which cancer patients can perhaps someday undergo chemotherapy treatments without all the horrendous side effects.
Nature
Immunology: Allergy's Achilles' heel?
November 14, 2013
Snippet from article: This diversity in the affinity of the IgE response is addressed in the study of Handlogten et al.1. Using a defined synthetic multivalent 'allergen' with both high- and low-affinity binding sites for IgE, they show that weak interactions are critical; importantly, they also demonstrate that blocking these interactions can inhibit an allergic reaction both in vitro and in vivo.
Nature SciBX (Science-Business eXchange) : IgE - Indication : Allergy
November 07, 2013
In vitro and mouse studies suggest inhibiting weak affinity allergen–IgE interactions could help prevent allergies. In a rat cell culture model, tetravalent allergens were shown to bind IgE and induce mast cell degranulation, an initial step in triggering allergic reactions.
Progress toward treatment for dangerous allergies
October 09, 2013
Through the new research, Bilgicer and his group designed a special molecule, called a heterobivalent inhibitor (HBI), which when introduced into a person's bloodstream can, in essence, out-compete allergens like egg or peanut proteins in their race to attach to mast cell receptors.
Scientists getting closer to new treatment for allergies
June 01, 2013
Bilgicer and his group have designed a molecule they're calling a heterobivalent inhibitor (HBI), which attempts to out-compete allergens like peanut proteins in the cell receptor attachment race. The idea is to stop progression of the allergic reaction rather than just endure it with ephinephrine and similar treatments.
Making progress toward a treatment for dangerous allergies
May 01, 2013
"Our allergy inhibition project is innovative and significant because we brought a novel molecular design approach to selectively inhibit mast cell degranulation - the key event in triggering a food allergic response - which has the potential to improve the quality of life for affected patients," said Basar Bilgicer, assistant professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering at Notre Dame and an investigator in the University's Advanced Diagnostics & Therapeutics initiative.
Nanoparticles offer ‘infinite’ possibilities for cancer treatment
May 01, 2013
One of the greatest challenges associated with that disease is that it develops drug resistance to doxorubicin, said Basar Bilgicer, PhD, an assistant professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering and chemistry and biochemistry at the University of Notre Dame.
New therapeutic could help prevent hypersensitive allergic reactions
May 01, 2013
It appears that partial inhibition of allergen–IgE interactions can prevent mast cell degranulation and severe allergic reaction. Basar Bilgicer, one of the study investigators, explained the importance of the work: “Our allergy inhibition project is innovative and significant because we brought a novel molecular design approach to selectively inhibit mast cell degranulation – the key event in triggering a food allergic response – which has the potential to improve the quality of life for affected patients.”
Design Principles for Clinical Efficacy of Cancer Nanomedicine: A Look into the Basics
April 23, 2013
Abstract
With recent advances in cancer nanomedicine, there is an increasing expectation for clinical translation. However, what are the parameters of a nanomedicine that will define clinical success, which will be measured by increased efficacy and not just ease of delivery or reduction in toxicity? In this Perspective, we build on a fundamental study by Stefanick et al. on the significance of the design principles in the engineering of a nanomedicine, such as peptide-PEG-linker length and ligand density in cellular uptake of liposomal nanoparticles. We address additional design parameters that can potentially facilitate clinical translation as well as how emerging insights into tumor biology will inspire next-generation cancer nanomedicines.
Nanoparticle Delivers Chemotherapy Directly to Multiple Myeloma and Prevents CAM-DR
June 18, 2012
Basar Bilgiçer, Ph.D., and colleagues say that tests in a mouse xenograft model of MM showed that in comparison with treatment using free doxorubicin, their VLA-4 targeting, doxorubicin-conjugated multifunctional nanoparticles (NPDox/VLA4-pep) preferentially homed in on MM tumors and resulted in dramatic tumor growth inhibition, while preventing CAM-DR and reducing overall system toxicity. The investigators report their development in Nature’s Blood Cancer Journal, in a paper titled “Rationally engineered nanoparticles target multiple myeloma cells, overcome cell-adhesion-mediated drug resistance, and show enhanced efficacy in vivo.”