# Development of a nanotechnology resource center to advance urological research

> **NIH NIH P20** · ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE · 2020 · $330,216

## Abstract

Abstract
 Novel technologies facilitate breakthroughs in scientific discovery with concomitant advances in therapy.
In the case of nanotechnology, a major focus has been on optimizing its use for targeted drug delivery, imaging,
diagnosis, or a combination of therapeutics and diagnosis (“theranosis”). However, the application of
nanotechnology in the research and treatment of benign urological pathologies remains underexplored.
 At our institution (“Einstein”), the research laboratory of Dr. Joel Friedman has developed a nanoparticle-
delivery system (the “Einstein” nanoparticle). We and others have applied this system to multiple research fields,
including benign urology, as documented by >20 publications, several extramurally funded research projects,
and licensing to a commercial entity. This nanoparticle-delivery system has intrinsic potential for modulation of
its physicochemical properties, allowing use in a vast array of basic research and clinical conditions. However,
the availability of these nanoparticle-delivery systems to the general urologic research community is currently
limited by the absence of specific resource allocations for design and synthesis.
 This proposal addresses these limitations by establishing a P20 Resource Development Center with two
primary goals: 1) to educate and promote the use of nanotechnology within the urologic basic and clinical
research community, and 2) to create a resource development (research project) component in which the
“Einstein” nanoparticle will be available for collaborative projects focused on benign urologic diseases. The
proposed Resource Center will design and synthesize nanoparticles tailored to each research project until
commercial entities assume this role.
 The Center will be highly synergistic, with investigators learning how nanotechnology can be applied to
their specific field of research. Investigators will have access to resources and training, so they can apply the
“Einstein” nanotechnology in their project. Investigators will require design and synthesis of novel nanoparticle
formulations tailored to their specific research projects. This process would therefore lead to the development
and expansion of novel nanoparticle formulations for a variety of benign urologic conditions. We anticipate that
commercial entities will be positioned to synthesize nanoparticles within 2-4 years, eventually replacing the need
for this P20 Resource Center.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10020317
- **Project number:** 5P20DK123969-02
- **Recipient organization:** ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** KELVIN P DAVIES
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $330,216
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-17 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10020317

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10020317, Development of a nanotechnology resource center to advance urological research (5P20DK123969-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10020317. Licensed CC0.

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