Developing 2-Dimensional MXenes and their composites for drug delivery

The history of 2-Dimensional materials classified as having an atomic scale thickness, only dates to 2004 with the discovery of Graphene. However, the extraordinary physical and chemical properties of 2D crystals have been instrumental in their rapid development for applications in energy storage, electronic devices, biosensors, biomedical imaging and drug delivery. The successful exfoliation of MAX phases (Mn+1AXn, M: transition metal, A: element from groups III to VI, X: C/N) has resulted in the development of a group of 2D transition metal carbides/nitrides called MXenes. MXenes possess high surface area, hydrophilic functional groups, paramagnetic behaviour, high mechanical strength, light matter interactions, varied electrical properties and are potentially biocompatible and degradable, making them excellent candidates for applications in biomedicine, a field of research in its very early stage.

In particular for drug delivery, MXenes can travel in the human body more freely than larger particles, require lower drug loading than traditional drug vehicles to achieve therapeutic levels, and could enable specific tissue/organ targeting by encapsulating within a polymer matrix or attaching to specific drugs. Incorporating drug loaded MXene particles into biodegradable polymers such as PLGA or PCL could facilitate intramuscular injection to provide long term release for highly efficacious but toxic drugs for cancer treatment or hormonal/contraceptive implants. The aims of this project are to fabricate MXenes of varying compositions, develop and test drug delivery vehicles based on pure drug loaded MXenes, and drug loaded MXenes incorporated into polymeric matrices where polymer degradation or swelling will help control the drug release.

Eligibility

Information on entry requirements can be found on our GTA program page

How to apply

We strongly recommend you contact the lead academic, Sima Aminorroaya at [Email Address Removed] , to discuss your application

Please visit our GTA program page for more information on the Graduate teaching assistant program and how to apply. Any questions on the graduate teaching assistant programme requirements can be addressed to the postgraduate research tutor for this area which is Dr Xu Xu ([Email Address Removed]) or Dr Francis Clegg ([Email Address Removed]).

Start date for studentship: October 2022

Interviews are scheduled for: Late June – Early July 2022

For information on how to apply please visit our GTA program page

Your application should be emailed to [Email Address Removed] by the closing date of 31st May 2022.