Mechanism and Approach to Inactivate Mutant KRAS of Lung Metastatic Colon Cancer by RNA-ligand-displaying Exosome to Co-deliver dCas9--gRNA Ribonucleoprotein Complex and KRAS siRNA

Piotr Rychahou, M.D. (MPI), a Research Associate Professor in the Department of Surgery, an expert in CRC metastasis biology, investigating cancer survival pathways and experimental therapeutics. He has expertise to establish both CRC lung metastasis model and use microsurgery to establish CRC liver metastasis model for this project. Dr. Rychahou has devoted much of his research to developing nanoparticles for the treatment of colorectal cancer with RNA nanoparticles carrying therapeutic loads, such as chemotherapeutic drugs or RNAi. In addition, his extensive experience in developing and testing patient derived xenografts and CRC organoids will be used in examining in vitro and in vivo properties of RNA nanoparticle/exosome complexes. Multiple PI structure and specific research tasks. Expert in experimental oncology focusing on the CRC metastasis progress and CRC metastasis treatment at UK; provide scientific direction, supervision, and coordination; leverage the use of infrastructure; establish meeting schedules and monitor compliance; timely manuscript and grant development plans. Specific research tasks: • Evaluation of RNA-ligand exosomes delivery in preclinical models of CRC lung and liver metastasis with macroscopic (Lago SII) and microscopic imaging (confocal imaging of fixed frozen tissue sections) • Evaluation of RNA-ligand exosomes therapy on CRC lung and liver metastasis growth and progression • Perform histopathology and immunohistochemistry of CRC lung and liver metastasis