Targetted inhaled nanotherapeutics for treatment of respiratory infections

About the Project

Respiratory infectious diseases have consistently posed a serious threat to human health and global well-being. According to data from the World Health Organization, pneumonia remains a leading cause of death in children worldwide. In 2017 alone, approximately 808,694 children under the age of five died from pneumonia, representing 15% of all deaths in that age group. Additionally, tuberculosis (TB) continues to be one of the top ten causes of death globally, with around 1.6 million fatalities reported in 2017 and more than 10 million individuals currently living with the disease. Lower respiratory tract infections are particularly hard to treat because pathogens are typically located deep within the lungs and are often embedded in thick mucus and protective biofilms. Consequently, oral or intravenous antibiotic treatments require high doses to achieve therapeutic levels in the lungs, since only a small amount of the drug is able to reach the pulmonary mucosal surface from the bloodstream. In contrast, delivering antimicrobials via inhalation allows for direct targeting of the infection site in the lungs. This approach enhances local drug concentration while reducing systemic exposure and the risk of related side effects, making it a more efficient and patient-friendly therapeutic strategy.

The aim of this PhD studentship will be to develop inhalable polymeric drug delivery systems to encapsulate novel antimicrobials for the treatment of lower respiratory infections. The research objectives include (i) Develop and characterize inhalable formulations drug delivery vehicles encapsulating novel antimicrobials, (ii) Assess antimicrobial activity against clinically relevant respiratory pathogens, including drug-resistant strains and (iii) Evaluate drug stability, aerosol performance, and lung deposition characteristics using in vitro and ex vivo models. In this highly interdisciplinary studentship, the student will gain skills in nanomaterial synthesis, materials characterisation, microbiological assays and cell biocompatibility studies.

This PhD studentship will work in line with an ongoing project between the University of Liverpool and University of Oxford to develop Inhaled therapeutics for respiratory infections.

Candidates will have, or be due to obtain, a Master’s Degree or equivalent from a reputable University in an appropriate field of Engineering. Exceptional candidates with a First Class Bachelor’s Degree in an appropriate field will also be considered.

Supervisors:

Raechelle D’Sa - r.dsa@liverpool.ac.uk

Jenny Hanson - Zippy78@liverpool.ac.uk

Elena Mitsi - elena.mitsi@paediatrics.ox.ac.uk