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Alexander Peterson (Fed)

Research Chemist

Research Interests:

My research focuses on the development of high-throughput light scattering microscopy methods for the rapid and comprehensive characterization of gene therapy particles at the single-particle level. Gene delivery particles, including viral vectors and non-viral carriers, are pivotal in the treatment of previously intractable diseases. However, the small size (20-200 nm) and complexity of these nano-bioparticles pose significant challenges in production and accurate characterization, leading to issues of heterogeneity that can affect the efficacy and safety of treatments.

To address these challenges and accelerate the development of effective therapies, I am working on innovative light-scatter-based optical microscopes. These advanced tools aim to provide detailed physical measurements—such as mass, size, concentration, and composition—of individual gene delivery particles. By enhancing the precision and efficiency of particle characterization, my research contributes to the improvement of treatment outcomes and safety in the rapidly growing gene therapy field, which is projected to reach a $13 billion market with a 27.8% annual growth rate in 2024. This aligns with broader program goals at NIST, which focuses on advanced characterization approaches for critical quality attributes in gene delivery systems.

I have also worked with physical microscopy techniques such as surface plasmon resonance imaging, quantitative phase imaging, and enhanced darkfield imaging.  

Research Areas:

 

Physical Microscopy Properties and Techniques
Physical microscopy techniques allow for measurement of physical  properties and are amenable for reference material artifacts.
Credit: Alexander Peterson

 

Research Opportunities

2-year fellowship at NIST on the topic of:

Contact alexander.peterson [at] nist.gov (Alexander Peterson) if interested in applying and writing a proposal (3000 words).  Application deadlines Feb. 1 and Aug. 1. Open to U.S. citizens, $82,764 stipend plus benefits, relocation expenses included.

Publications

Agglomeration of Escherichia coli with positively charged nanoparticles can lead to artifacts in a standard Caenorhabditis elegans toxicity assay

Author(s)
Shannon Hanna, Antonio Montoro Bustos, Alexander W. Peterson, Vytas Reipa, Leona D. Scanlan, Sanem Hosbas Coskun, Tae Joon Cho, Monique Johnson, Vincent A. Hackley, Bryant C. Nelson, Michael R. Winchester, John T. Elliott, Elijah Petersen
The increased use and incorporation of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) in consumer products requires a robust assessment of their potential environmental
Created October 9, 2019, Updated September 20, 2024