Pharmaceutical Sciences Research
The Pharmaceutical Sciences department offers undergraduate students the opportunity to be at the forefront of groundbreaking research that drives advancements in medicine and healthcare. Our faculty are leaders in scientific innovation, conducting research in bioinformatics, neurobiology, cancer research, gene activation, oral drug delivery, nanotechnology, and computational drug discovery.
In bioinformatics, our faculty are developing cutting-edge algorithms and computational tools to analyze biological data, enhancing our understanding of complex biological systems. Neurobiology research uncovers the intricacies of the neuronal receptors linked to neurological disorders. Our cancer research focuses on understanding the mechanisms of RNA in gene activation.
Our faculty’s work in gene activation explores innovative methods that help us understand how gene expression is regulated. These methods have the potential to significantly impact the treatment of genetic disorders. Our research aims to create more effective and patient-friendly medication administration methods in oral drug delivery. Our nanotechnology projects are also revolutionizing drug delivery systems, making treatments more precise and effective.
Furthermore, our emphasis on computational drug discovery combines the expertise of biologists, chemists, and computer scientists to accelerate the identification and design of new drug candidates. Join us in this interdisciplinary approach to shaping the future of medicine and healthcare.
Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Faculty
Education
- 2018: Postdoctoral Fellowship in Biostatistics, MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, TX)
- 2015: PhD in Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Cambridge, MA)
- 2009: BS in Chemical Engineering, Purdue University (West Lafayette, IN)
Courses Taught
- RX 319 – Introduction to Healthcare Analytics
- DATA 612 – Visualization, Storytelling & Ethics
- RX 411/412 – Principles of Drug Action 1 & 2
- RX 314 – Genetics, Genomics & Biotechnology
- RX 499-23 – Introduction to Research Design
Research Interests
My research involves the development of bioinformatic tools to help pharmacists, health professionals and the public better understand complex genomics data, from data processing and analysis pipelines to dashboards for easy visualization. I am also mining and analyzing large metabolomics databases to better understand drug treatment and response mechanisms.
I am also a frequent collaborator with scientists at Butler University and around the country. My contributions have included the processing, analysis, and visualization of different types of ‘omics data. Research projects have included the profiling of ‘omics data in leukemia, to understand disease progression and treatment response; analysis of gene splicing and polyadenylation patterns to identify treatment mechanisms in pancreatic cancer; and epidemiological analysis to understand why some breast cancer patients do not receive chemotherapy after it is recommended by their doctor.
Selected Publications
Full publication list can be found at Google Scholar
- Class CA, Ha MJ, Baladandayuthapani V, Do K-A (2018). “iDINGO–Integrative Differential Network Analysis in Genomics with Shiny Application.” Bioinformatics 34(7): 1243-1245.
- Montalban-Bravo G, Class CA, Ganan-Gomez I, Kanagal-Shamana R, Sasaki K, Richard-Carpentier G, Naqvi K, Wei Y, Yang H, Soltysiak KA, Chien K, Bueso-Ramos C, Do K-A, Kantarjian H, Garcia-Manero G (2020). “Transcriptomic analysis implicates necroptosis in disease progression and prognosis in myelodysplastic syndromes.” Leukemia 34(3): 872-881.
- Thomas PS, Class CA, Gandhi TR, Bambhroliya A, Do K-A, Brewster AM (2019). “Demographic, clinical, and geographical factors associated with lack of receipt of recommended chemotherapy in women with breast cancer in Texas.” Cancer Causes Control 30(4): 409-415.
Areas of Expertise
- Biopharmaceutics, drug targeting, anticancer drug delivery, multi-drug resistance, nanomedicine
Contributions: (published works or studies, conference presentations)
- Drug delivery research, preformulation and biopharmaceutical characterization of drugs
- Excellence in Scholarship Butler University COPHS (2006)
- Research grants from National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- Research grant from National Science Foundation (NSF)
- Research grant from Pharmaceutical Research Manufacturers’ Association of America (PhRMA)
- US Patent # 7,331,251, "Dissolution testing of solid dosage forms intended to be administered in the oral cavity", February 19, 2008
Butler Assignment (classes or work duties)
- Professor of Pharmaceutics, 2018 –
- Associate Professor of Pharmaceutics, 2005 – 2018
- Research Associate Professor, 2004 – 05
Personal Hobbies
- Reading, gardening
Education/Experience
Education/Degrees
- B.S. Pharmacy – Banaras Hindu University, India
- M.S. Pharmaceutics – Banaras Hindu University, India
- Ph.D. Pharmaceutics – University of Pittsburgh, PA, 1995
Certifications
- Licensed pharmacist in New Jersey
Awards/Honors
- Excellence in Scholarship Butler University COPHS (2006)
- Research grants from National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- Research grants from National Science Foundation (NSF)
- Research grants from Pharmaceutical Research Manufacturers’ Association of America (PhRMA)
- US Patent # 7,331,251, "Dissolution testing of solid dosage forms intended to be administered in the oral cavity", February 19, 2008
- Recognized in "Who’s Who in America", 63rd edition, 2009
Association Memberships (professional/educational)
- American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
- American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists
Professional Experience
- Research scholar at SmithKline Beecham, PA (now Glaxo SmithKline) in Pharmaceutical Technology
- Adhoc member, Drug Delivery/Nanotechnology Study Sections, Center for Scientific Review, NIH
- Teaching experience in Pharm.D. program since 1997
- Staff pharmacist in community practice (1995-98)
Webpage: https://research.butler.edu/nanomedicine/
Dr. Das has over thirty years of teaching and research experience in the professional pharmacy and graduate programs in the USA and Canada. He has supervised a number of postdoctoral, graduate and undergraduate research students, and was the key faculty responsible for the revitalization of the graduate program and research infrastructure in pharmaceutical sciences at Butler University. His current research involves targeted delivery of siRNA and nanocomposites for the treatment of glioblastoma and triple negative breast cancers. Dr. Das has over 150 research publications, review articles, patents, proceedings, conference presentations, and book chapters, is a recipient of multiple awards/honors, and has secured extramural research funding from NIH, PDA, and the pharmaceutical industry.
Since 2004, he has served on over 50 study sections for the NIH – Center for Scientific Review, and continues to serve on the editorial boards of Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences (APhA and Elsevier), Therapeutic Delivery (Future Science Group, UK), Bioengineering (MDPI, Switzerland),Cancers (MDPI, Switzerland), and Pharmaceutics (MDPI, Switzerland)
Dr. Das has been an active member of AACP since 1994, where he became an AACP Leadership Fellow (2005), and served as the chair-elect, chair and immediate past chair of the Teachers of Pharmaceutics Section(2006-09). From 2008-11, Dr. Das served as the founding chair and immediate past chair of the AACP Council of Sections, where he led the task of developing the mission and goals of the new council, and created various task forces supporting the missions of the AACP sections. He has also served on the AACP Board of Directors (2008-11), AACP Research & Graduate Affairs and the Bylaws and Policy Development Committees, along with various AACP Task Forces.
Dr. Das is also an active member of AAPS (since 1991) and CRS (Controlled Release Society, since 1987). He has served on many committees of the PDD/PPB and BIOTEC sections of AAPS
Research areas: Nanomedicine, non-viral gene therapy, translational research in glioblastoma and triple negative breast cancer, targeted delivery of anticancer drugs, ocular drug delivery, formulation development of poorly soluble drugs, pharmacokinetics and stability studies of pharmaceuticals.
Selected Publications: Google scholar
Webpage: https://research.butler.edu/nanomedicine/
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/sudipkdas
Personal Webpage
https://research.butler.edu/alex-erkine-lab
Education
BS/MS – Saint Petersburg State University, Russia
Ph.D. in Biochemistry– Saint Petersburg State University, Russia
D.Sc. in Molecular Biology – Russian Academy of Sciences
Courses
Biochemistry
Molecular Biology
Genetics, Genomics, and Biotechnology
Biopharmaceutical Analysis
Precision Medicine
Research interests
Gene regulation
Chromatin remodeling and epigenetics
Intrinsically disordered protein regions
Molecular functions at the near-stochastic level
Bioinformatics, machine learning, artificial intelligence
Pharmacology
Lab Webpage
https://research.butler.edu/alex-erkine-lab
Grants
NSF, NIH, Butler Innovation grants, Butler HAC grants
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=erkine
EDUCATION
PhD, Pharmaceutics, University College London School of Pharmacy, UK
Master of Pharmacy (MPharm), University College London School of Pharmacy, UK
TEACHING RESPONSIBILITIES
Biopharmaceutics
Pharmaceutics
Biopharmaceutical Analysis
Journal club and research seminars
Exploring pharmacy
RESEARCH INTERESTS
My research works towards bridging the physical and biological sciences in the field of pharmaceutics to gain a better understanding of drug bioavailability and some of the reasons behind the intra-and inter-individual variability in drug exposure. Through an in vitro simulated stomach and duodenum model set-up in my lab, we have been able to explore the effect of different physiological variables and formulations on drug supersaturation/precipitation kinetics and predict trends in drug plasma concentrations under the varied conditions simulating how patients consume their medicines. The ultimate goal is to develop in vitro in vivo correlations that will guide drug product design and reduce the need for in vivo studies. Thus expediting drug product development. In addition, I am undertaking to accelerate the availability of medicines to developing countries through work on biowaiver monographs
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7668-1426
Group Website
Research
Research Assistant Professor – Vanderbilt University, 08/2022 – 08/2023
Postdoctoral Researcher – Vanderbilt University, 08/2018 – 08/2022
Education
PhD in Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
BS in Chemistry, Bogazici University, Istanbul, Turkey
BS in Molecular Biology and Genetics, Bogazici University, Istanbul, Turkey
Education
B.S. in Biochemistry – Fudan University, Shanghai, China
Ph.D. in Neuroscience – George Washington University, Washington DC
Postdoctoral training – University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
Teaching
Intro to Principles of Drug Action (RX318)
Principles of Drug Action 1 (RX411)
Principles of Drug Action 2 (RX412)
Biopharmaceutical analysis (RX785)
Molecular Pharmacology (RX788)
Recent Advances in Neuropharmacology (RX610-12)
Research Interest
My research experience is centered on molecular and cellular regulation of neuronal membrane transporters,specifically on the dopamine transporter, a primary target of abused psychostimulants (cocaine and amphetamine) and ADHD medications (Ritalin and Adderall). My research incorporates multidisciplinary experimental approaches. Using biochemical methods to probe conformational changes of the dopamine transporter, and pharmacological techniques to study its binding with cocaine, I found that membrane cholesterol modulates conformation of the transporter and cocaine binding. I also studied membrane trafficking of the dopamine transporter using quantitative confocal imaging methods. More recently, I have collaborated with behavioral neuroscientists and medicinal chemists to further explore molecular mechanisms that underlie cocaine addiction in rodent models.
For students who are interested in getting hands-on biomedical research experience in these topics, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Recent publications
● Hong WC (2020) Distinct regulation of sigma-1 receptor multimerization by its agonists and antagonists in transfected cells and rat liver membranes. J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. February 14, 2020, jpet.119.262790; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1124/jpet.119.262790
Featured cover illustration: http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/jpet/373/2/local/front-matter.pdf
● Hong WC*, Wasko MJ*, Wilkinson DS*, Hiranita T*, Li L, Hayashi S, Snell DB, Madura JD, Surratt CK, Katz JL (2018) Dopamine Transporter Dynamics of N-Substituted Benztropine Analogs with Atypical Behavioral Effects. J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. doi: 10.1124/jpet.118.250498. *Equal contribution. http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/366/3/527
Featured cover illustration: http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/jpet/366/3/local/front-matter.pdf
● Yano H, Bonifazi A, Xu M, Guthrie DA, Schneck SN*, Abramyan AM, Fant AD, Hong WC, Newman AH, Shi L (2018) Pharmacological profiling of sigma 1 receptor ligands by novel receptor homomer assays. Neuropharmacology May;133:264-275. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.01.042. * Butler Pharm D, and MS Pharmaceutical Sciences candidate. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0028390818300480
● Hong WC#, Yano H, Hiranita T, Chin FT, McCurdy CR, Su TP, Amara SG, Katz JL (2017) The sigma-1 receptor modulates dopamine transporter conformation and cocaine binding and may thereby potentiate cocaine self-administration in rats. J. Biol.Chem. 292(27):11250-11261. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M116.774075. #Corresponding author. http://www.jbc.org/content/292/27/11250
● Hiranita T, Hong WC, Kopajtic T, Katz JL. σ Receptor Effects of N-Substituted Benztropine Analogs: Implications for Antagonism of Cocaine Self-Administration. J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 2017Jul;362(1):2-13. doi: 10.1124/jpet.117.241109. http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/362/1/2
● Hong WC, Kopajtic TA, Xu L, Lomenzo SL, Jean B, Madura JD, Surratt CK, Trudell ML and Katz JL. 2-Substituted 3ß-Aryltropane Cocaine Analogs Produce Atypical DAT Inhibitor Effects Without Inducing Inward-Facing DAT Conformations. (2016) J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 356:624-34. http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/356/3/624
Featured cover illustration: http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/jpet/356/3/local/front-matter.pdf
● Hiranita T, Wilkinson DS, Hong WC, Zou MF, Kopajtic TA, Soto PL, Lupica CR, Newman AH, Katz JL. 2-isoxazol-3-phenyltropane derivatives of cocaine: molecular and atypical system effects at the dopamine transporter. (2014) J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 349(2):297-309. doi: 10.1124/jpet.113.212738. http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/349/2/297.long
Featured cover illustration: http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/jpet/349/2/local/front-matter.pdf
● Hong WC and Amara SG (2013) Distinct post-endocytic fates of the dopamine transporter after internalization by amphetamine or PKC activation. FASEB J. 27(8) 2995-3007 https://doi.org/10.1096/fj.12-218727
● Hong WC and Amara SG (2010) Membrane cholesterol modulates the outward facing conformation of the dopamine transporter andalters cocaine binding. J. Biol. Chem. 285(42): 32616-26 http://www.jbc.org/content/285/42/32616.long
Faculty of 1000 Prime Recommended Article: https://f1000.com/prime/4831964
Education
-BS honors in Biological Sciences-University of Zimbabwe
-MS in Biology-Indiana University of Pennsylvania
-PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology-University of Oklahoma Health Science Center
-Postdoc -University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Courses
– Principles of Drug Action 1, 2 & 3
-Precision Medicine Elective
Research interests
Biomarker discovery, pharmacogenomics, cancer biology, precision/personalized medicine, molecular signaling, mechanisms of drug action, RNA biology (alternative mRNA processing) , next-generation sequencing (Illumina RNA Seq. and PACBIO Iso. Seq.).
Select Service and Awards
-National Institutes of Health (NIH) Molecular Oncology Study Section standing member/reviewer 2021-2027
-2020 New Investigator Award American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
-2017-2018 Butler University Outstanding Professor of the Year
Publications
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=masamha+cp
Invited/Selected Talks at National Conferences
* Presenter
1. Title:The role of alternative polyadenylation in cancer. C. Patience Masamha*. Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) post-transcriptional control of gene expression: Mechanisms of RNA decay conference. Scottsdale, Arizona. June, 2018.
2. Title:Multiple mechanisms driving alternative polyadenylation of cyclin D1 (CCND1) pre-mRNA processing. C. P. Masamha* and E.J. Wagner. RNA recognition and regulation symposium. Experimental Biology/ American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology annual meeting. San Diego, California. April 2018.
3. Title: Evading miRNA regulation through alternative polyadenylation in glioblastoma. Chioniso Patience Masamha*, Zheng Xia, Jingxuan Yang, Todd Albrecht, Scott Collum, Min Li, Wei Li, Ann-Bin Shyu and Eric J.Wagner. Symposia on Cancer Research 2014. Illuminating Genomic Dark Matter “ncRNA in Disease and Cancer”, MD Anderson Cancer Center. Houston, Texas. October 2014.
4. Title: CFlm25 links global change in APA to cell growth control and glioblastoma survival. Masamha C.P*., Xia Z., Albrecht T.R., Li W., Shyu A-B., and Wagner, E.J. RNA 18th Annual Conference. Davos, Switzerland. June 2013.