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:

M. Hassert, L.L. Drewry, L.L. Pewe, L.S. Hancox, R. He, S. Arumugam, M.R. Mix, A.K. Salem, and J.T. Harty. mRNA vaccination overcomes hemozoin-mediated impairment of whole parasite malaria vaccines. Nature Microbiology. 2026.

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.

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Events

College of Pharmacy PSET Seminar Series: Jason Duskey, PhD

Tuesday, January 20, 2026 11:30am
Virtual

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

Jason Duskey, PhD
Department of Life Sciences
University of Modena
Modena, Italy

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

Zoom Link Info:
Meeting ID: 967 3140 7256
Passcode: 584174

College of Pharmacy PSET Seminar Series: Benjamin Van Tassell, PharmD

Tuesday, January 27, 2026 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: 

Benjamin Van Tassell, PharmD, BCPS, FCCP, FAHA, ASH-CHC
Professor and Vice Chair for Research
Pharmacotherapy and Outcomes Science
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, Virginia

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

14th Annual Fulbright Intensive U.S. Student Program Workshop promotional image

14th Annual Fulbright Intensive U.S. Student Program Workshop

Friday, January 30, 2026 9:30am to 11:30am
Virtual
Join International Programs at the University of Iowa (UI) for the 14th Annual Fulbright Intensive U.S. Student Program Workshop.

Use navigation links to see publications and current group members

Links also show available equipment, former group members and collaborators