Dr. Szoka's laboratory devises synthetic systems to deliver macromolecules across membranes, and employs such systems to target macromolecules to cells and organs. They use liposomes as model membranes and currently focus on how peptides, designed to mimic fusion sequences in viral envelope proteins, induce membrane fusion.

Dr. Szoka's group does a substantial amount of chemical synthesis concerning novel peptides and lipids. He uses these materials in experiments to devise therapies for genetic diseases and cancer. His group is currently targeting liposome-encapsulated drugs to treat lung and breast cancer in an animal tumor model. This work requires the identification of suitable molecular targets on the surface of tumor cells and the synthesis of appropriate ligands that can interact with the cell surface receptor.