Development of Peptide-Based Nanomicelle Eye Drops for the Treatment of Dry Eye Disease

About the Project

Ocular drug delivery remains a major challenge due to the eye’s complex anatomy and dynamic protective barriers that restrict drug absorption. Dry eye disease (DED), a highly prevalent and multifactorial condition, is typically managed with frequent instillation of lubricating or anti-inflammatory eye drops. However, these conventional formulations suffer from limited retention time, rapid tear turnover, and poor corneal permeability, resulting in inadequate therapeutic outcomes and poor patient adherence.This project aims to develop peptide-based nanomicelle formulations for ocular delivery to improve drug solubility, stability, and corneal penetration. These self-assembled nanocarriers are expected to enhance precorneal residence time and provide sustained therapeutic effects, thereby reducing dosing frequency and improving patient comfort.

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

1. Design and formulate peptide-based nanomicelle systems for the encapsulation of model therapeutic agents.
2. Develop and validate analytical methods for peptide and drug quantification.
3. Evaluate in vitro release and ex vivo corneal permeation of the nanomicelles.
4. Characterise the formulations for particle size, stability, and surface charge to ensure optimal ocular compatibility.
5. Assess cytocompatibility and potential anti-inflammatory effects in relevant ocular cell models.

This project will provide the student with hands-on training in advanced formulation design, analytical evaluation, and translational ocular research. The outcomes will contribute valuable insights into peptide-based nanocarriers for treating dry eye disease and enhance the student’s readiness for careers in pharmaceutical R&D and drug delivery innovation. 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.

By collaborating with seasoned researchers from both industry and academia, the student will gain practical experience and have opportunities to present their findings at national and international conferences. 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 is expected to advance ocular drug delivery by developing innovative peptide-based nanomicelle formulations for dry eye therapy, enabling sustained drug release, reduced dosing frequency, and improved patient comfort. It will also generate new scientific knowledge on peptide-based carrier systems while training a skilled researcher with expertise in formulation science, analytical techniques, and translational R&D—strengthening the future talent pipeline in pharmaceutical innovation.