Mechanisms of sugar alcohol effects on respiratory membrane biophysics

The small amounts of glycerol were added to some pharmaceutical inhalers to modify aerosol particle size when pressurised metered dose inhalers were reformulated with hydrofluoroalkanes in the 1990’s. We have observed that this leads to significantly reduced in vitro epithelial permeability of inhaled drugs such as beclomethasone dipropionate. We hypothesise that glycerol interacts preferentially with water at the air-liquid interface though hydrogen bonding and effectively depletes the solvent available for the dissolution and transport.
This project will to investigate the physical mechanism of glycerol (and other sugar alcohols) partitioning into lipid bilayers, evaluate the effects on lung surfactant and epithelial function and explore whether these effects can be exploited to modify drug disposition in the lungs.

ELIGIBILITY AND APPLICATION

This four-year project is funded jointly by the BBSRC London Interdisciplinary PhD programme and Chiesi Limited. It covers UK/EU tuition fees and an annual tax-free stipend in the region of £16, 057 (exact amount to be confirmed each year).

Applications will be considered from individuals with a background in pharmacy, biomedical science, chemistry or physical science. The equivalent of a first or upper second class degree is essential. A postgraduate degree in a relevant subject would be desirable, as would research project experience and basic laboratory skills.

For more information regarding the project, please contact Prof Ben Forbes - [Email Address Removed]
For more information about the programme, eligibility or the application process please contact the programme administrator - [Email Address Removed]

Keywords: Drug Delivery, Inhaler, Respiratory, Pharmaceutical, Pharmacokinetic, Biophysics.