Designing and characterising novel mucoadhesive polymers and nanomaterials

Mucosal membranes are the moist surfaces lining the walls of various body cavities such as respiratory, gastrointestinal and reproductive tracts as well as the nostrils, the eyes and the mouth. They play an important role in protecting cellular epithelia from chemical and mechanical damage. Mucosal membranes also provide lubrication and wettability of the cell epithelial surface, and regulate its moisture content. Mucoadhesion is defined as attractive interactions at the interface between a pharmaceutical dosage form and a mucosal membrane. Various administration routes, such as ocular, nasal, buccal and gingival, gastrointestinal (oral), vaginal and rectal, make mucoadhesive drug delivery systems attractive and flexible in dosage form development. The advantages associated with the use of mucoadhesives in drug delivery include increased dosage form residence time, improved drug bioavailability, and reduced administration frequency, simplified administration of a dosage form and termination of a therapy as well as the possibility of targeting particular body sites and tissues.
The research project will be aimed at the development of novel mucoadhesive polymers and nanomaterials, studies of their interactions with the components of the mucus gel in solutions by various physicochemical techniques, characterisation of their adhesive properties with respect to biological and model substrates, formulation of mucoadhesive dosage forms and their in vitro evaluation.