Hasegawa’s research focuses on the development of polymeric nanomaterials for controlled drug delivery with an emphasis on gaseous signal-transmitter molecules such as nitric oxide, carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide. Currently, her group is developing polymeric nanoparticles containing gas-donating moieties which release gaseous drugs in a controlled manner under physiological-relevant conditions. Her work includes design and synthesis of polymeric nanoparticles using various polymerization techniques, such as reversible addition-fragmentation transfer (RAFT) polymerization and aqueous dispersion polymerization, as well as biological evaluation of these nanoparticles in cell culture and biological systems. These polymeric nanoparticle platforms can be used for therapeutic applications such as wound healing as well as contribute to a better understanding of the bioactivities of these gases in the human body.
