Zhongyue (Claire) Yuan
Advisor's Name:
Yoon Yeo
Email Address:
Training Group:
Microbiology, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases Courses
Research Summary:
Alzheimer’s disease affects nearly seven million Americans over 65, yet current acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, NMDA antagonists, and anti‑amyloid antibodies only delay early symptoms. RNA therapeutics could halt disease progression, but renal clearance, nuclease degradation, inflammation, endosomal trapping, and off‑target effect, and viral vectors raise safety concerns. Therefore, we propose to develop a nanoparticle formulation for the delivery of genetic medicine. Nanosac is a polyphenol capsule, deformable and negatively charged, and co-opts albumin in serum to acquire albumin corona. Moreover, Nanosac enters cells bypassing endosomal trafficking. Taking advantage of these features, I aim to optimize Nanosac for siRNA delivery to the brain.
Why did you choose to attend PULSe:
I chose Purdue’s PULSe program because its first‑year rotations let me explore several research areas before committing to a lab, its streamlined yet flexible coursework keeps my time focused on experiments, and its umbrella structure fosters interdisciplinary collaboration across pharmacy, engineering, and biology. Just as important, PULSe’s cross‑departmental cohort means my closest friends—and future collaborators—come from diverse scientific backgrounds, enriching both my training and day‑to‑day graduate life.