DrKeittisak Suwan

Dr Keittisak Suwan is a Senior Research Associate in the Department of Brain Sciences at Imperial College London, specialising in bacteriophage-based targeted gene delivery for cancer therapy. He holds a PhD in Biochemistry from Chiang Mai University, with postdoctoral training at the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Oxford. His work focuses on engineering phage and hybrid AAV/phage vectors for systemic, tumour-specific therapeutic delivery toward future clinical translation.

Dr Suwan’s research focuses on the development of bacteriophage-derived and hybrid viral vectors for targeted gene and protein delivery in cancer. His work addresses the need for therapeutic systems capable of systemic administration while achieving high specificity for tumour tissue, reducing reliance on invasive delivery routes and minimising off-target effects. Central to this interest is the engineering of vectors that can recognise and bind to molecular markers associated with tumour vasculature and malignant cells, enabling precise therapeutic activity within the tumour microenvironment.

He is particularly interested in the design principles that govern vector targeting, intracellular trafficking, stability in circulation, and controlled release of therapeutic payloads. This includes exploring how ligand display, capsid properties, and vector genome architecture influence delivery efficiency and therapeutic outcomes. His research also extends to examining the interaction between engineered vectors and host biological systems, including immune responses, tissue penetration, and tumour heterogeneity, which are key considerations for translational applicability.

Beyond vector engineering, his interests include gene-encoded biologics as an alternative to recombinant therapeutic proteins, enabling sustained production of therapeutic agents within diseased tissue. He is also engaged in developing strategies to enhance vector adaptability for different disease contexts and treatment settings.

A broader aim of his work is to contribute to the translation of non-invasive, targeted gene therapies into clinically accessible treatments, with consideration of deployment in resource-limited healthcare environments, where treatment access, manufacturing capacity, and patient burden require practical and efficient therapeutic solutions.