Professor Mitragotri’s research is focused on drug delivery. His research has advanced fundamental understanding of biological barriers and has led to the development of new materials as well as technologies for the treatment of various ailments including diabetes, cancer, skin diseases, multiple sclerosis, and infections, among others. Many of his inventions have advanced to clinical technologies. His research has led to a number of start-up companies. At the same time, the fundamental knowledge developed through his research has advanced the understanding of the biology of barriers in the human body. Prof. Mitragotri has pioneered novel technologies using ultrasound and ionic liquids to enable transdermal delivery of proteins, peptides, and siRNA. He has also developed novel technologies including ionic liquids for oral delivery of proteins such as insulin and other peptides. Prof. Mitragotri has invented systems that make use of synthetic carriers hitchhiking on natural cells such as red blood cells, macrophages, neutrophils, T cells, and NK cells for targeted delivery of drugs and cells.
Professor Mitragotri is the Hiller Professor of Bioengineering and Hansjörg Wyss Professor of Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University. He has authored over 400 publications, is an inventor on over 225 issued/pending patents, and he has given over 500 invited lectures. He is an elected member of the National Academy of Engineering, National Academy of Medicine and National Academy of Inventors. He is also an elected fellow of AAAS, CRS, BMES, AIMBE, and AA PS. He received BS in Chemical Engineering from the Institute of Chemical Technology, India and PhD in Chemical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.