Formulation and biopharmaceutical characterisation of novel pro-antibiotics for improved oral permeability

This project is focused on the formulation, synthesis, and biopharmaceutical characterisation of novel pro-antibiotics for improved oral bioavailability. 

Following oral administration, dissolved drug accesses target tissues through epithelial cells lining the gastrointestinal tract. However, the poor solubility of a drug limits its biological activity. 

In the case of antibiotics, both solubility and permeability are impaired making effective delivery particularly difficult. 

Characterisation of synthesised materials, taking into account its solid state and physicochemical stability upon storage conditions and biochemical stability in bodily fluids as well as solubility and intrinsic dissolution rate will be carried out using among the others: nuclear magnetic resonance, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis and powder X-ray diffraction, as well as spectroscopic methods. 

In order to assess the impact of potentially improved dissolution and solubility on the permeation of the drug, studies will be carried out in vitro using parallel artificial membrane permeability assays (PAMPA) and intestinal perfusion assays using models of gastrointestinal epithelial cells monolayers. 

Studies will include a qualitative and quantitative assessment of pro-antibiotics antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and negative bacteria strains. 

New materials will be formulated into the advanced oral drug delivery system using such processing techniques as spray drying and tableting. 

This is an interdisciplinary project, and the project scope will be managed proportionally to the abilities and interests of the student. 

Entry requirements

An ideal candidate would be an organic chemist or material scientist engineer with an interest in biopharmaceutics, biochemist, or pharmacist with a strong science background. 

How to apply

Formal applications can be made through the University of Bradford web site. Applicants should register an account, and choose 'Full-time PhD in Pharmacy' as the course, and then provide the project title in the Research Proposal section.

About the University of Bradford

Bradford is a research-active University supporting the highest-quality research. We excel in applying our research to benefit our stakeholders by working with employers and organisations world-wide across the private, public, voluntary and community sectors and actively encourage and support our postgraduate researchers to engage in research and business development activities.

Faculty of Life Sciences

The faculty comprises a mixture of academic divisions, research centres and outreach facilities. We provide high-quality teaching with a professional focus and engage in cutting-edge research – which we seek to apply through our extensive links with industry and business. We also offer a wide range of postgraduate taught and research courses.

Many of our academics are active researchers and international research experts.

Our interdisciplinary research themes are focus on:

• Computational and Data-driven Science
• Interface of Chemistry Biology and Materials
• Health, Society, People and Place
• The Life Course

Our research centres include:

• Centre for Pharmaceutical Engineering Science
• Digital Health Enterprise Zone
• Institute of Cancer Therapeutics
• Wolfson Centre for Applied Research

University investment in research support services, equipment and infrastructure provides an excellent research environment and broad portfolio of developmental opportunities.

Positive Action Statement

At the University of Bradford our vision is a world of inclusion and equality of opportunity, where people want to, and can, make a difference. We place equality and diversity, inclusion, and a commitment to social mobility at the centre of our mission and ethos. In working to make a difference we are committed to addressing systemic inequality and disadvantages experienced by Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic staff and students.

Under sections 158-159 of the Equality Act 2010, positive action can be taken where protected group members are under-represented. At Bradford, our data show that people from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic groups who are UK nationals are significantly under-represented at the postgraduate researcher level. 

These are lawful measures designed to address systemic and structural issues which result in the under-representation of Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic students in PGR studies.