Computational pharmacokinetic modelling for the optimisation of anti-infective treatments

We are offering a PhD scholarship funded by PKTK (http://www.pktk.co.uk/) and the University of Liverpool in development of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics models for infectious disease treatments. The project will involve the generation of novel modelling approaches for the prediction of therapy efficacy and toxicity of treatments for infectious diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis.

Project description:

The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of anti-infective drugs are a determinant part of treatment success. Pathogen replication is inhibited if adequate drug levels are achieved in target sites, whereas excessive drug concentrations linked to toxicity are to be avoided. Anti-infective distribution can be predicted by integrating experimental and clinical data in mathematical descriptions of human anatomy in population based or physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models. The aim of the project will be to integrate different modelling approaches for the optimisation of anti-infective treatments with specific focus on special populations, drug-drug interactions and novel formulations. These modelling approaches represent a pivotal technology with multiple scientific and regulatory applications.

We currently have an inter-disciplinary team involved in a range of laboratory and clinical studies and the successful candidate will form an important part and be expected to play an active role in our team. The group undertakes a large number of in vitro, in silico and clinical studies, and has mainly concentrated on research on the pharmacokinetics of antiretroviral drugs.

Students with a background in Pharmacology, Biology, Drug Delivery and Pharmacy and related subjects are invited to apply for this 36 month fully-funded project.