James R. Baker, Jr., M.D., Director of M-

Dr. Baker has over 25 years experience in basic biologic research, concentrating in immunology and host defense. His long-standing research in immunology has helped define the basis of several autoimmune diseases. He has become an internationally recognized expert in nanotechnology, nanomolecular materials in biomedical applications, and the emerging field of nanomedicine. He has given plenary lectures at most of the major nanotechnology conferences, has testified before Congress on nanotechnology, and has spoken about his research at a number of international meetings, corporations, and universities. He has been funded by a series of grants from NIAID, DARPA and the NCI. Recently he has been involved in work concerning gene transfer and drug delivery. These studies have produced new vector systems for gene transfer using dendritic polymers, which have the potential to revolutionize pharmaceutical therapy. Dr. Baker's work with synthetic lipid and polymeric nanostructures has resulted in the development of a new class of antimicrobial agents with activity against bacteria, spores, fungi and viruses. These projects have led to two start-up biotechnology companies, NanoBio Corporation and Avidia Therapeutics, located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Dr. Baker serves as the Chief Scientific Officer of these Corporations.

In April of 2005, the University of Michigan Board of Regents approved the formation of the new Michigan Nanotechnology Institute for Medicine and the Biological Sciences (M-) and appointed Dr. Baker as its first Director. Under his leadership, the M- will merge academic expertise and institutional resources across the university to develop and market applications for nanotechnology in medicine, the biological sciences, and the environment.