Post summary
COVID-19 has adversely altered the lives of every citizen on Earth. Currently, there are no specific antivirals available while vaccine development is still ongoing. We propose to target SARS-CoV-2 by reinforcing the natural anti-microbial defences of the respiratory airways rather than attacking the virus directly. The ultimate goal of DEFEND is to develop a prophylactic ‘Nano-Decoy’ based formulation that will augment the body’s natural respiratory defences to prevent SARS-CoV-2 from reaching the target respiratory cells. As such, DEFEND will offer the potential of a drug-free prophylactic formulation, with an easy to use aerosol delivery system, that is safe for long-term use by, for example, vulnerable patient groups and front line workers, that functions in an exclusively preventative fashion. DEFEND will also develop a more effective nanomaterial delivery system, containing a known protease inhibitor (Nafamostat) that will also augment the natural immune defences.
The main phases of the research are:
1. Biomaterials will be conjugated to the surface of the nanoparticles to develop DEFEND’s bespoke ‘nano-decoys’. These nano-decoys will be fully characterised for size, shape and charge, as well as preliminary cytotoxicity studies before a full screening for anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity in the Barry Group, UCD.
2. Preparation and characterisation of nafamostat-loaded nanomaterials from a number of natural and synthetic polymers. These materials are designed to be either mucoadhesive or mucopenetrating, depending on the target site, where they can then release the therapeutic payload. Detailed studies capturing particle size, drug loading and release, mucoadhesion and cytotoxicity will be carried out, followed by antiviral studies in the Barry Group, UCD.
3. The final stage of the project will focus on the formulation of nano-decoys, with and without loaded nafamostat, as oral or nasal sprays.
The project is co-supervised by Dr Gerald Barry, UCD, and approximately 4 months of research work has been planned to be undertaken in the Barry Lab, UCD.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential
· Applicants should hold or expect to attain, as a minimum a 2:1 Honours degree, or equivalent, in Pharmaceutical Science, Biopharmaceutical Science, Biomedical Science or related area.
Desirable
· Subjects in Chemistry, formulation, microbiology, cell culture
· Work placement undertaken in an industry related to the above disciplines
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
· A research project carried out in one of the above disciplines
· A demonstrated knowledge in at least three of the following: pharmaceutical formulation, drug delivery, nanotechnology, virology, cell culture and competency in using analytical instrumentation such as LC, GC, NMR, and MS.
Desirable
· Work placement in an industry related to the above disciplines
· Ability to work in an aseptic environment
· Knowledge in material characterisation techniques such as particle size and thermal analysis
Skills & Competencies
Essential
· Applicants whose first language is not English must submit evidence of competency in English, please see WIT’s English Language Requirements for details.
Desirable
· Evidence of interest, aptitude and research experience in the above disciplines
· If applicable, an IELTS score of 7 or equivalent
Supervisor(s) Dr Laurence Fitzhenry (PI), Dr Orla O’Donovan, Dr Gerald Barry (UCD)
Research Group OTRG, PMBRC
Department / School Department of Science, School of Science and Computing
Duration 48 months PhD
Status: Full Time
Funding information WIT Scholarship 2020/2021
Value of the Scholarship Annually Stipend: €15,000 Fees: €4,500 Research costs: €2,000
Teaching requirement: Two hours of academic development activities per week during the academic year in line with scholarship requirements.
Closing date and time
Advertisement Period 04/01/2021- 15/01/2021
This Competition will close at 4pm Irish time on the 15th of January 2021.
Interview date TBC
Commencement date Q1 2021
Further information
For any informal queries, please contact Dr Laurence Fitzhenry at email: or telephone: +00353 (0) 51 302624
For queries relating to the application and admission process please contact the Postgraduate Admissions Office via email [Email Address Removed] or telephone +353 (0)51 302883.
Website: www.wit.ie
Application procedure
Download the Research Postgraduate Application Form and return completed applications to [Email Address Removed], quoting WD_2020_39_WSCH
in the email subject line. Please note that paper submissions will not be accepted
Please note that paper submissions will not be accepted.
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