The main current theme of our lab is utilizing polymers to deliver drugs, particularly various small molecules, genetically engineered proteins, DNA and RNAi, continuously at controlled rates for prolonged periods of time. Work currently in progress includes: a) investigating the mechanism of release from polymeric delivery systems with concomitant microstructural analysis and mathematical modeling; b) studying applications of these systems including the development of effective long-term delivery systems for insulin, anti-cancer drugs, growth factors, gene therapy agents and vaccines; c) nanotechnology d) delivery through different routes in the body including the skin, lung, vagina, gi tract, eye, and brain and e) synthesizing new biodegradable polymeric delivery systems which will ultimately be absorbed by the body.