Fungal and bacterial infections contribute to over 7 million deaths yearly, affecting over 300 million people globally (GAFFI). Since many antimicrobial drugs are ancient, we are witnessing an unprecedented rise in the emergence of pathogenic resistance to the commonly used antimicrobial drugs (Fisher et al., Nat.Rev.Micro.2022). Nanomedicine, the use of nanotechnology in developing new medicines, is recognised as one of the Key Enabling Technologies, promising new and innovative solutions to address antimicrobial resistance. Nanocarrier-encapsulated antimicrobial drugs can lower the required dose, enhance the efficacy of the treatment through intracellular delivery, and reduce the chances of antimicrobial drug resistance. Despite these potential benefits, applying a nanoparticle-based drug delivery system requires precise control over the size, drug encapsulation, and a robust production method at commercially practical scales.
Research groups at the School of Pharmacy have been leading the development of a new interdisciplinary research area, the interfaces between design and scale-up production of antifungal nanotherapeutics. In this multidisciplinary field, we have received significant investments from EPSRC, SFI, NSF, InvestNI, Royal Academy of Engineering and MRC. The perspective PhD students will work within this dynamic team to develop innovative, scalable processing platforms for affordable antimicrobial nanotherapeutics.
The student will work with the PDRAs of the recently established EnLAmB network (MR/X014010/1), closely linked with the Centre of Excellence in Infectious Diseases Research at the University of Liverpool (THE LANCET Infectious Diseases, 2021).
Expected Impact Activities:
1. New HTS models for intracellular delivery can provide proof-of-concept for new grant applications, BBRSC or EPSRC.
2. Advances in scalable nano-therapeutical manufacturing can attract new privately funded projects from the industry, CATCH.
3. New antimicrobial nanotherapeutics can lead to new treatments and interventions, iREACH.
Home applicants must meet the following academic criteria:
1st or 2.1 honours degree in a relevant subject. Relevant subjects include Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biochemistry, Biological/Biomedical Sciences, Chemistry, Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
International applicants must meet the following academic criteria:
IELTS (or equivalent) of 7.0, a 2.1 honours degree (or equivalent) and a master’s degree in a relevant subject.
Applicants should apply through the Queens University's Direct Application Portal: https://dap.qub.ac.uk/portal/user/u_login.php
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