Development of Nano-Liposome Based Drug Delivery Systems for Ocular Diseases

About the Project

Ocular drug delivery presents one of the greatest challenges in pharmaceutical science, largely due to the eye’s unique anatomy, which limits drug permeation to the intended site of action. Traditional methods, such as topical (e.g., eye drops) and systemic (e.g., oral tablets) delivery, often result in sub-therapeutic drug levels due to multiple ocular barriers. Current treatment strategies for prevalent eye diseases like age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma, which are leading causes of blindness worldwide, rely on frequent eye drops or intravitreal injections. However, these methods have significant limitations: eye drops suffer from poor bioavailability and require strict adherence to dosing schedules, while injections are invasive, uncomfortable for patients, and pose risks such as endophthalmitis, hemorrhage, and cataract formation.

Our proposed project aims to overcome the limitations of topical eye drops and the invasiveness of intravitreal injections by developing liposome-based ocular drug delivery systems. Liposomes are biocompatible vesicles composed of phospholipid bilayers—can encapsulate both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs, providing sustained release and improved corneal or retinal penetration. This approach is intended to reduce the frequency of eye drop administration and/or intravitreal injections, enhancing patient comfort and compliance

Over the course of this three-year PhD project, the student will:

1. Design, develop, and characterize drug-loaded liposomal formulations.
2. Develop and qualify analytical techniques or assessing liposomal components and encapsulated drug stability.
3. Investigate in vitro and ex vivo corneal or scleral permeation behaviour of the liposomal systems.
4. Develop robust techniques for physicochemical characterisation techniques for efficient characterisation of the nano formulations.
5. Evaluate the biocompatibility and degradation behaviour of liposomes in relevant ocular cell models.

The student will receive extensive training in experimental design, protocol development, and advanced techniques for creating novel nanocarrier-based formulations. They will work within one of the leading Ocular Drug Delivery Research groups in the UK, which emphasizes an industry-focused approach. This aligns with the skill requirements of the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors, preparing the student to be career-ready upon graduation. Key skills developed will include project management, problem solving, analytical thinking, proposal and protocol writing, data analysis, quality control, and presentation skills. Through this project, they will build a comprehensive skill set that positions them for future roles in pharmaceutical product development and ocular drug delivery, making them highly valuable to both academic and commercial sectors.

Training that will be provided through the research project

PhD students will receive comprehensive training in key areas such as pharmaceutical formulation, pharmaceutical analysis, microbiology, and mathematical modelling. Throughout the program, students will engage in a wide range of R&D activities, equipping them to become independent researchers and fully prepared for roles in academia or the pharmaceutical industry. They will develop critical skills in experimental design, data analysis, and problem-solving, supported by opportunities to present their research at prestigious national and international conferences. This unique training experience offers a solid foundation for advancing their careers in cutting-edge drug development and pharmaceutical innovation.

Expected impact activities

This project will advance ocular drug delivery by developing innovative sustained-release nano-liposomal formulations that reduce dosing frequency and enhance patient compliance. It will generate new scientific knowledge addressing key gaps in ocular pharmacology while training a highly skilled researcher with expertise in formulation, analytical methods, and translational R&D - strengthening the next generation of pharmaceutical innovators.

Funding Notes

This project is not funded; applications are welcome from self-funding candidates.

References

Nano-liposomes, Ocular drug delivery, Sustained release, Corneal and retinal permeation, Biocompatibility, Controlled drug release