Gulf Medical University (GMU), through the Thumbay Research Institute for Precision Medicine (TRIPM), hosted a distinguished guest lecture by Prof. Ghaleb Husseini, Professor and Associate Vice Chancellor for Research at the American University of Sharjah. The event, titled “Targeted Drug Delivery in Cancer Treatment Using Ultrasound,”.
Prof. Husseini, a pioneer in the field of ultrasound-mediated drug delivery systems, presented his cutting-edge research on the use of nanocarriers; particularly functionalized liposomes; for precise and controlled release of chemotherapeutic agents at tumor sites. He elaborated on how combining passive, active, and trigger-based targeting techniques, with ultrasound serving as an external energy source, significantly enhances drug delivery efficacy while reducing systemic side effects.
During the session, he emphasized the importance of size-controlled and receptor-functionalized nanoparticles in improving tumor specificity. He also highlighted his team’s development of ultrasound-responsive “E-liposomes” and their ongoing in vivo trials using NuNu mice, as well as strategies for enhancing nanoparticle echogenicity to improve responsiveness to ultrasound.
Professor Husseini’s long-standing contributions have earned him numerous accolades, including the IChemE Research Project of the Year (2016) and the TIP Health Care Award (2018). He is also a member of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Academy of Scientists and holds three USPTO patents related to this technology.
The lecture was well received and sparked vibrant discussion on the future of chemotherapy and personalized cancer care. TRIPM & GMU extend their appreciation to Prof. Husseini for sharing his expertise and contributing to advancing translational cancer research in the UAE and beyond.