Donald Miller, PhD

Research summary

Dr. Donald Miller's research interests focus on understanding the cellular factors that control blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability under both normal and pathological conditions. His lab uses both cell culture and whole animal models to examine various transport processes for moving drugs and solutes into and out of the brain. His research program includes examination of BBB changes during brain tumour development, identification of methods for increasing the delivery of chemotherapeutic agents to more effectively treat brain tumours, identification and characterization of drug efflux transport proteins in the blood-brain barrier and the molecular mechanisms influencing their activity and expression, and the design and development of nanoparticle drug delivery platforms for treating central nervous system diseases. Additionally, his lab has also examined inflammatory processes including cytokine and lipid mediators of inflammation and their impact on brain endothelial response. This research has recently expanded into studying inflammatory cascades in other organs/tissues including chondrocytes (joint-related inflammation) and microglia/macrophage (CNS and systemic inflammation). Overall, Dr. Miller's research aims to improve therapeutic approaches for the treatment of brain tumours, identify biomarkers for monitoring brain tumour response to therapy and increase drug delivery to the brain for treatment of CNS disorders.

Research themes

• Nanomedicine
• Drug delivery applications and systems
• Blood-brain barrier physiology and pathophysiology
• Brain tumour treatment and monitoring

Research interests

• Understanding the cellular regulators of blood-brain barrier function under normal and pathophysiological conditions
• Development of methods for increasing drug delivery (both small molecules and biologicals) to the brain for treatment of CNS disorders
• Improving therapeutic approaches for the treatment of brain tumours
• Identification of biomarkers for monitoring brain tumour response to therapy

Research affiliations

• Principal investigator, Kleysen Institute for Advanced Medicine, Health Science Centre
• Adjunct senior scientist, Research Institute in Oncology and Hematology (RIOH), University of Manitoba

Research groups

• Nanomedicines Innovation Network (NMIN) – member of HQP Advisory Committee

Keywords

• Blood-brain barrier
• Nanoparticles
• Biomarker
• Brain tumour
• Drug delivery