Cancer therapy and the development of imaging agents are critical areas in biomedical research. Our team is focused on creating advanced theranostic agents that combine both therapeutic and imaging functions, enabling simultaneous treatment and real-time visualization of biological processes. This integrated approach allows for more targeted and effective cancer therapy while minimizing side effects, as clinicians can monitor treatment responses in real time and promptly adjust strategies to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.

A central aspect of our research involves studying the tumor microenvironment and identifying cancer proteins that are overexpressed in malignant cells. Using this knowledge, we design small-molecule therapeutics and imaging agents that act as intelligent, responsive probes, selectively targeting cancer cells to enhance treatment precision and efficacy. In addition to cellular studies, we employ organoid models—three-dimensional, patient-derived mini-organs—to better replicate the complexity of human tumors and refine our therapeutic approaches for more effective and personalized cancer management.

A major direction of our work is the engineering of bacteriophages to develop next-generation, target-specific anti-cancer theranostic agents. By leveraging the unique properties of phages, we aim to create highly selective delivery systems capable of recognizing and binding to cancer cells, thus facilitating both targeted therapy and precise imaging. This innovative strategy holds significant promise for improving the specificity and effectiveness of cancer treatments while reducing off-target effects, ultimately bridging the gap between diagnosis and therapy for individualized patient care.