PhD Study : Novel Personalised Multifunctional Oral Capsules for The Treatment of Myocardial Infarction

Summary

Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of disability and health loss worldwide, with an estimated 17.9 million deaths per year, of which Myocardial infarction (MI) is the most prevalent cause. Systemic delivery of small molecules and proteins is a popular form of therapy for treating MI, due to it’s minimal invasiveness. These delivery methods require frequent dosing to achieve relevant concentrations in the infarct zone for significant periods of time, which increases the risk of side effects and toxicity.

Moreover, recent progress in patient treatment has led to a paradigm shift from “single-drug”-“one-target” to “multi-drugs”-“multi-target” approaches, to overcome several therapeutic challenges clinicians face today. However, this may lead to missed medication as more than 50% of patients struggle to follow a practitioner’s prescribed regimen of two or more medications.

Oral formulations remain the most widely used pharmaceutical dosage form when dealing with treatment of MI. From the patient’s perspective, oral capsules have many advantages such as being odour-free, tasteless, and easy-to-swallow. However, current methods of producing capsules containing multiple pharmaceuticals, each with specific release profiles that are truly customisable are limited, challenging, and expensive.

In this project, we will produce research leading to a printable, highly-tunable and fully-functional oral capsule based on  electrohydrodynamic (EHD) 3D printing technology. High-resolution fibrous 3D-printed oral capsules possessing intrinsic material behavior with microstructural spatial design will be developed to overcome the challenges of treating MI with oral medication.  Oral capsules consisting of three biodegradable layers with distinctive drugs will be generated, in which the middle layer, with two separate compartments, is embedded between inner and outer layers.

The novel capsule design is made possible through the innovative application of EHD-3D printing, and will house a complex mixture of cardiovascular drugs with the potential for greatly improved patient outcomes for MI therapy; such as decreased blood pressure, cardio-protection, and rapid release of antithrombotic drugs. The functions of oral capsules with varied fiber resolution, heterogeneity, topography, and hydrophobicity will be characterised using physical, chemical, and biological methods, leading to a combination of different functionalities in the resultant personalised oral capsules.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• First Class Honours (1st) Degree
• Masters at 65%
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project
• Publications - peer-reviewed

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

• Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
• Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
• Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

• Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
• Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
• Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living