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Benjamin Lepene

Benjamin Lepene

PhD Candidate, Oxidative Processes in Aging and Disease / Bio-Inspired and Nanoscale Drug Delivery Systems
Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences
Graduate Advisor: Dr. Craig Thatcher
 
e-mail: blepene@vt.edu

Education

2001 Bachelor of Science
Materials Science and Engineering
Concentration: Polymer Science and Engineering
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

Brief Bio

Ben Lepene completed his bachelor's degree in Material Science and Engineering in 2001. He then worked as a research scientist and team leader for the multifunctional coatings group at a nanoscale-materials science start-up company located in Blacksburg, VA. At that point, Ben decided to return to school to pursue a Ph.D. related to the interaction of biomaterials with biological systems at the Department of Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences (BMVS) as part of the NSF Macromolecular Interfaces with Life Sciences Graduate Education program. Upon completion of his Ph.D. Ben would like to pursue a career in the biotechnology industry. When he's not working in the lab, Ben enjoys many outdoor activities in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Research Project Involvement

  • Oxidative Processes in Aging and Disease
    "Characterization of the antioxidant properties of the prion protein, which is associated with Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSE)." TSE belongs to a family of diseases linked to abnormal protein folding that result in structural and functional damage leading to disease in humans and animals. The normal physiological function of prion protein is debated, but recently has been shown to have antioxidative activity. We will study a number of cell lines that stably express a RNA interference (RNAi) molecule which "knocks down" prion protein expression by 80%. These cell lines include primary bovine fibroblasts, mouse embryonic stem cells (ESC), and a mouse neuroblastoma cell line, which will allow study of cells that normally express the prion protein compared with cells that have had the prion protein expression knocked down. Initially, in vitro studies will be conducted using these cell lines to further investigate the prion protein's suggested role as an antioxidant.
  • Bio-Inspired Drug Delivery Systems
    "Synthesis and characterization of a pH-responsive antioxidant delivery system with molecular recognition capabilities." The ability of macromolecular based drug delivery systems (DDS) to reach their intracellular targets with sufficient activity is critical to the success of the treatment. Currently, we are synthesizing a macromolecular based antioxidant delivery system which exhibits both molecular recognition and pH-responsive capabilities. This system targets reduced folic acid receptors expressed at high levels in specific disease states. This DDS exploits receptor mediated endocytosis in order to transport and release a model therapeutic antioxidant peptide into the cytoplasm of target cells. The resultant effects on the oxidative damage in an in-vitro model will be investigated and correlated to the drug delivery system's molecular architecture.

Professional Experience

2001-2003 Research Scientist
NanoSonic, Inc.
Blacksburg, VA