Funded PhD: Novel drug delivery of dry powders via the nose

Project in brief

The World Health Organisation and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals have identified the importance of improving access to essential medicines and improving health and quality of life as a crucial step towards achieving global health equity.

There is increasing interest in investigating alternative routes of drug administration, such as use of the nasal route. This project explores the nasal administration of dry powders. This is applicable to the delivery of biologics as powders allow a larger dose, improved stability and a longer retention time in the nose than liquid formulations.

Further, it is expected that many more biologics (which are usually given via injection) will become available in the future. The ability of a range of powders to increase nasal retention time, in the absence of toxicity, by reversibly decreasing their removal via mucociliary clearance will be explored with a view to helping achieve health equity by making biologics more accessible.

A placement at Charles River Laboratories, Edinburgh, will enable the successful applicant researcher to gain a comprehensive understanding of the industry landscape in this field.

Key Facts

Location Moulsecoomb campus, Brighton, and Edinburgh

Research centre Centre for Precision Health and Translational Medicine

Project themes Nasal drug delivery, powders, biologics, health equity, mucociliary clearance, toxicity

Deadline Thursday 29 February 2024 at 16.00 GMT

Interviews March 2024

Find out how to apply

University of Brighton supervisors

Dr Alison Lansley

I am interested the in the absorption of drugs and particulates (including air pollution) in the nose and lung and their effect on permeability (cell junctions). A particular interest is the role of mucus and mucociliary clearance in drug/particulate delivery to the airways. Further, I am interested in the local toxicity of inhaled compounds and I have extended this to studying the health implications of treated water using cell-based assays. I have supervised 11 successful PhD students and five postdoctoral scientists.

Current projects available for supervision include:

1. The delivery of drugs and particles to the nose and lungs, particularly the use of in vivo-reflective in vitro cell culture models of the airway epithelium (PhD/MRes) https://authors.elsevier.com/sd/article/S0939-6411(21)00202-2

2. The role mucus and mucociliary clearance plays in drug and particulate delivery to the nose and lungs. (PhD)

3. Use of powders to deliver drugs to the nasal cavity (PhD/MRes)

4. The role of mucus in biopharmaceutical models of the nose (absorption and biocompatibility) (PhD)

5. The use of high-speed imaging to study the role of mucus on the deposition behaviour of droplets and particles in the nasal cavity (PhD)

6. Determining the impact of ultra-fine particulate air pollution (UFPs) on mucus secretion, ciliary activity and epithelial permeability in the young and ageing lung. Do UFPs accelerate lung ageing? (PhD/MRes)

Dr Ananth Pannala

Drug delivery research group works in the development of new technologies to provide solutions to emerging global health priorities. In broad terms my research includes investigation and development of novel technologies for targeted drug delivery via various routes of drug administration.

PhD Students at University of Brighton

Dr Zhenqi Liu (awarded April 2023) - Design and development of novel oral formulations for the improved bioavailability of curcumin
Dr Kauther Layas (awarded February 2022) - Design and development of novel nano-formulations containing antioxidants for the treatment of acute kidney injury
Dr Kais Shaban (awarded April 2018) - Investigation into the chemical stability of levothyroxine and the design, development and characterisation of a fast-dissolving low dose levothyroxine film for the oral administration
Dr Gennaro Dichello (awarded January 2018) - Controlling self-assembling nanomaterials (SANs) within a biological environment
Dr Benjamin Elisha-Lambert (awarded October 2017) - Investigation into the role of dietary antioxidants against oxidant-induced kidney injury and dysfunction
Dr Mira Buhecha (awarded June 2016) - Design and development of novel PLA nanoparticles for the co-encapsulation of theophylline and budesonide for the treatment of asthma and COPD

Other collaborators

Charles River Laboratories

Entry requirements

Academic entry requirements

Applicants should have a minimum of a 2:1 undergraduate degree and desirably hold or expect to achieve excellent grades in a Master’s degree in a relevant subject from a UK university or comparable qualifications from another recognised university.

Applicants are also required to submit a CV and a 1250 word (max) statement outlining (a) a proposed project approach and (b) a personal experience and expertise summary (see our Guide to making your application below).

Residential eligibility

Applications from both Home and non-UK resident students can be accepted. Please note, non-UK residents can only undertake full-time study.

If successful, students must live in the UK and within reasonable access to the University.

English language entry requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English must have successfully completed a Secure English language Test (SELT) in the last two years. Applicants who are currently studying for a UK degree or who have obtained a UK degree in the last three years may apply without a SELT. However, the university may request a SELT is taken as part of any award made.

English language IELTS requirements are minimum of 6.5 in each component.

If you have an English language qualification other than IELTS, please contact us to see if you are eligible to apply for a studentship

See UK Government guidance for full details.

Funding

Each studentship provides a tax-free stipend for living expenses at UKRI rates (£18,622 per year for full-time study in 2023-24) and covers tuition fees for the duration of the studentship (three years for full-time PhD study or six years for part-time (Home students only) study).

Contact us

For any questions or further information about the project, please contact the lead supervisor Dr Alison Lansley (see profile for contact details).

If you have any questions about the funding or application process, please contact DoctoralCollege@brighton.ac.uk.

Guide to making your application

What to include in your application

Please complete all relevant fields on the application form and include the following:

Documents to be uploaded:

copies of your bachelors and master certificates, including transcripts (upload in Education section)
copy of your IELTS (or equivalent) certificate (if applicable) (upload in English Language section)
copy of your passport (upload in any section)

two written documents as follows:

We require two written documents: a two-part narrative text (1) and your CV (2). To complete this requirement, please adhere to the guidance on this page rather than the generic guidance on the application form. Please upload the following as two attachments rather than entering text in the box on the application form.

Your proposed project approach (a) and personal statement (b): in the Personal Statement section of the form, please upload a narrative (total 1250 words max) that has two components:
- (a) a description of how you intend to approach the project and key questions that will need to be addressed (500 words max);
- (b) a summary of your experience, personal attributes, current knowledge and research skills (750 words max)
Your CV: in the Research Proposal section of the form, please upload a two-page CV. Please also ensure you have completed the two fields requesting supervisor name and project title. You do not need to include a full research proposal; we require a project approach within the Personal Statement section as outlined above.

Two references:

One reference must be an academic reference from your most recent period of study; both references must have been dated within the last year. You can submit your references either by providing contact details of your referees or by uploading a scan of a formal signed reference.

How to start your online application

To start your application please follow these steps:

1. Click the 'apply online now' button, on the right.
2. Select 'register and start a new application', to create your user account.
3. Once you are logged in, select 'apply to a new course'.
4. Select the type of course 'research degree'.
5. Select mode of study 'full-time' (Home students shortlisted for interview will have the option of changing their preferred mode of study to 'part-time')
6. Select 'Doctoral College'
7. Select ‘Applied Sciences studentship’
8. Click 'apply'.

You will now be able to complete the online application form.

Apply Online Now