Permeation of bio-active molecules into skin from topical applications

Skin is the largest organ in our body. Its main function is to protect our body from external pathogens and from internal water loss. Stratum Corneum (SC), the topmost layer of skin, provides the main barrier against passive permeation. Delivery of drugs through the skin is an attractive and rapidly growing approach to drug delivery because it provides convenient, effective and pain-free route for drug administration. The main challenges in dermal medication is penetrating the skin barrier. Despite considerable investigations in the areas of topical (to the skin) and transdermal (across the skin) drug delivery, the mechanisms of action of commonly used penetration enhancers and the interactions of therapeutic agents with the skin are not clearly understood yet.

SC consists of non-viable (dead) cells, corneocytes, embedded in a rigid multi-layered lipid phase. The passive permeation routes for small molecules involve permeation through the lipid phase and therefore the understanding of the interactions of drug molecules with the skin lipids is of key importance.

The project aims to investigate how small antimicrobial and antiseptic molecules and penetration enhancers interact with the skin lipids at the molecular level. The project will be performed using atomistic molecular dynamics simulations.

The student will gain knowledge of skin structure, properties and functions; and the experience in molecular dynamic modelling of complex biological systems. The skills acquired in the project could easily be applied to study other biological systems such as cell membranes or/and complex organic solutions. The findings from this project may be further used for prediction of the interactions and behaviour of other, novel, therapeutic agents.

For more information on research within the School of Environment and Life Sciences please visit the School research website www.salford.ac.uk/environment-life-sciences/research