The Carroll Group has research projects in several areas of medicine.

Novel Diagnostics Technologies

We have developed several sensor technologies to address pressure (for acute compartment syndrome) to muscular-skeletal alignment.  Coupling nano-functionalized, electro-active composites, with biocompatible delivery platforms our goal is to reduce costs of medical diagnosis while improving comfort and accuracy for the patient.

Origins of Antibiotic Resistance

Bacteria that become resistant to antibiotics can pose severe health threats.  However, there are numerous routes to resistance.  Our group has been exploring the role of physico-chemical stresses on the formation and properties of glycocalyx coatings at the bacterial surface as a way of understanding long term survivability of these bacteria within cells.

Hyperthermic Approaches to Cancer

The largest program in medicine for our group involves using heat to kill cancer.  We introduced therapeutic IR delivery through nanoparticle mediated transduction some years ago.  We have now extended this into animal studies with exciting results.  Currently our studies focus on carbon nanotubes.  However we are expanding this to include conjugated polymer nanoparticles that clear more easily and have little to no inflammatory response.

Systemic response to Carbon Nanotubes and other Nanoparticles

There have been many proposed uses of carbon nanotubes with the body.  We already know that they are not cytotoxic.  But what other effects might they have on the body?  Blood clotting?  Accumulation and occlusion?  Our group has an ongoing interest in the body’s response to the presence of carbon nanotubes.

Foundations of Bionics

The interface between electronics and biologics.