Dr. Sheng Tong received a new NIH R01 grant from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research to develop minimally invasive, spatially controlled genome-editing therapies for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The project will investigate magnetically activated delivery strategies designed to localize genome editing and enhance antitumor immunity while limiting activity in healthy tissues.
News Research updates, publications, awards, and lab highlights
2026
New NIH R01 grant supports spatially controlled genome editing for head and neck cancer
Emma Bunch joins the lab as an NSF Graduate Research Fellow
Emma Bunch joined the Laboratory of Nanomedicine & Immunoengineering as a graduate student. She is supported by an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship and will contribute to the lab’s research in nanomedicine and therapeutic delivery.
Spatially controlled genome editing enables localized immunotherapy
Our latest preprint reports a magnetically controlled platform for spatially restricted genome editing and localized cancer immunotherapy, with tumor-focused editing, immune remodeling, and therapeutic efficacy.
Read the preprint →
New Nano Letters study reveals mechanisms of magnetic nanoparticle heating
Our study in Nano Letters examines how stochastic nanoscale magnetic dynamics govern heating behavior across magnetic nanoparticle sizes and clarifies the roles of Néel and Brownian processes.
2025
Excellence in Teaching Award
Dr. Sheng Tong received the Departmental Excellence in Teaching Award in recognition of his contributions to biomedical engineering education.
ARENEX Inc. founded to advance therapeutic delivery technologies
ARENEX Inc. was founded in 2025 to translate emerging technologies from the laboratory toward therapeutic delivery and genome-engineering applications.
Sarah Kubican graduates with an M.S. degree
Sarah Kubican graduated from the University of Kentucky in May 2025 after completing her master’s research in the Laboratory of Nanomedicine & Immunoengineering.
Xiaoyue Yang selected as a Lighthouse Beacon Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr. Xiaoyue Yang was selected as a Lighthouse Beacon Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow in the Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering in recognition of her research and professional development.
2024
New Small study reveals a mechanism for enhanced ROS-generating nanozymes
Our study shows that wüstite nanoparticles use intraparticle electron transport to accelerate Fenton catalysis, producing substantially greater ROS than conventional iron oxide nanoparticles.
Magnetic nanoparticles enhance extracellular-vesicle production
Our study in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces showed how magnetic nanoparticles and physical stimulation can regulate extracellular-vesicle transport and secretion.
Zhongchao Yi completes his Ph.D.
Zhongchao Yi graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Ph.D. in December 2024 after completing his doctoral research in the Laboratory of Nanomedicine & Immunoengineering.
Xiaoyue Yang receives NIBIB Scholars Scientific Conference Travel Award
Dr. Xiaoyue Yang received the NIBIB Scholars Scientific Conference Travel Award to support her participation in the 2024 BMES Annual Meeting.
New NSF grant supports research in magnetogenetics
Dr. Sheng Tong received NSF Award 2342391, Understanding the Nanoscale Interactions in Magnetogenetics, to investigate how nanoscale magnetic interactions regulate biological responses. The project runs from 2024–2027.
2023
ARENEX team selected as a Phase I winner in the NIH TARGETED Challenge
Our team was selected for developing nonviral genome-editor delivery technologies.