Welcome

Welcome to the home page for "The Salem Laboratory of Advanced Drug and Gene Delivery". Dr. Salem's research expertise is in drug discovery, development, formulation and delivery. Dr. Salem applies this expertise to developing therapies for regenerative medicine, cancer and other diseases. 

 

Selected Publication Highlights:

R. Smith†, E.I. Wafa†, S.M. Geary†, K. Ebeid, S.O. Alhaj-Suliman, A.K. Salem. Cationic nanoparticles enhance T-cell tumor infiltration and antitumor immune response to a melanoma vaccine. Science Advances. 2022. 

K. Ebeid, X. Meng, K.W. Thiel, A. Do, S.M. Geary, A. S. Morris, E.L. Pham, A. Wongrakpanich, Y.S. Chhonker, D.J. Murry, K.K. Leslie, A.K. Salem. Synthetically Lethal Nanoparticles for Treatment of Endometrial Cancer. Nature Nanotechnology. 2018.

M.C. Coleman, J.E. Goetz, M.J. Brouillette, D. Seol, M.C. Willey, E.B. Petersen, B. Khorsand, A.S. Morris, A.K. Salem, D.C. Fredericks, T.O. McKinley, J.A. Martin. Mitochondrial Responses to Intraarticular Fracture are a Disease-Modifying Target for Posttraumatic Osteoarthritis Prevention. Science Translational Medicine. 2018.

S.M. Geary, C.D. Lemke, D.M. Lubaroff and A.K. Salem. Proposed mechanisms of action for prostate cancer vaccines. Nature Reviews Urology. 2013.

A.K. Salem, P.C. Searson and K.W. Leong. Multifunctional nanorods for gene delivery. Nature Materials. Oct 2003, 2, 668-671.

H.S. Sakhalkar, M.K. Dalal, A.K. Salem, R. Ansari, J. Fu, M.F. Kiani, J. Hanes, K.M. Shakesheff and D.J. Goetz. Leukocyte inspired therapeutic particles that selectively and avidly adhere to inflamed endothelium. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.100 (26): 15895-15900 DEC 23 2003.

 

porous particle

Formulation Expertise

Our research group has expertise in formulating small molecules, proteins and nucleic acids

Pyramid Scaffold

Materials Science and Nano and Microtechnology Expertise

Our research group has expertise on materials characterization and using nano and microtechnology to develop effective dosage forms.

Salem Group 2016

Formulation

Experts
In the Lab 2

Drug and Gene Delivery

Toxicity Testing
Kareem Salem

Cancer Immunotherapy

Regenerative Medicine

Directions

See the "Contact Us" page for directions to the College of Pharmacy

 

cells with particles

Research in progress 1

R. Smith†, E.I. Wafa†, S.M. Geary†, K. Ebeid, S.O. Alhaj-Suliman, A.K. Salem. Cationic nanoparticles enhance T-cell tumor infiltration and antitumor immune response to a melanoma vaccine. Science Advances. 2022.

3D Salem Lab logo

Research in progress 2

S. Areecheewakul, A. Adamcakova-Dodd, Z.R. Zacharias, X. Jing, D.K. Meyerholz, K.L. Legge, J.C.D. Houtman, P.T. O’Shaughnessy, P.S. Thorne, A.K. Salem. Immunomodulatory effects of sub-acute inhalation exposure to copper oxide nanoparticles in house dust mite-induced asthma. ACS Nano. 2023.

News

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Events

34th Annual Center for Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing Conference promotional image

34th Annual Center for Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing Conference

Saturday, November 15, 2025 7:30am to 3:45pm
College of Pharmacy Building

The CBB Annual Conference is a one-day event hosted by the Center for Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing at the University of Iowa. It brings together researchers, industry leaders, and students to share breakthroughs, foster collaboration, and explore the latest advancements in biocatalysis, bioprocessing, and biotechnology. Designed to bridge academic and industry innovation, the conference offers presentations, poster sessions, speakers, and networking opportunities that drive progress.

Conference...

College of Pharmacy PSET Seminar Series: Leslie Benet, PhD promotional image

College of Pharmacy PSET Seminar Series: Leslie Benet, PhD

Tuesday, November 18, 2025 11:30am
College of Pharmacy Building

The Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics (PSET) in the College of Pharmacy will host a seminar presented by: 

Leslie Benet, PhD
Professor
Department of Bioengineering & Therapeutic Sciences
University of California San Francisco
San Francisco, California

All are welcome to attend. No pre-registration required.

Seminar Title: "Simplifying the Application and Teaching of Clinical Pharmacokinetics"

Hawk Tank Competition Informational Session promotional image

Hawk Tank Competition Informational Session

Tuesday, November 18, 2025 12:30pm to 1:20pm
College of Pharmacy Building

College of Pharmacy Students: Have you ever watched Shark Tank on TV? Do you have an idea for a concept or product that could improve patient care, pharmacy practice, or health care, or that could generate revenue for the College of Pharmacy? The College of Pharmacy is launching a Hawk Tank Competition in the Spring 2026 semester where winning teams will have an opportunity to obtain seed money to further develop their concept/idea.

To provide more information and background on this competition...

Use navigation links to see publications and current group members

Links also show available equipment, former group members and collaborators