Deadline
Value of Scholarship
0
Level of Study
Country Tenable
Renewable
No
Department/School: Pharmacy
Supervisors: Dr Vitaliy Khutoryanskiy, Prof Adrian Williams
Project Overview:
Diffusion of nanomaterials in viscous biological media is a complex transport phenomenon that is still not fully understood. The understanding of the factors affecting the diffusion of nanoparticles in complex fluids is particularly important for drug delivery. A number of therapeutic areas can greatly benefit from the development of nanomaterials with enhanced ability to diffuse through biological viscous fluids and gels. The efficient diffusion of drug- and gene- nanocarriers through the biological gels in the airways may lead to the breakthrough in the treatment of cystic fibrosis. It is a life-threatening inherited condition that causes the body to produce excessive quantities of thick mucus, which blocks the lungs, affects the digestive tract and some other organs and functions. A number of ocular degenerative conditions could potentially be efficiently treated via intraocular injections, where facilitated diffusion of nanocarriers through the vitreous gel is of significant importance for successful therapy. Prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections is also heavily reliant on the development of novel microbicides with improved efficiency to diffuse in vaginal viscous fluids.
This project will be focused on the application of nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), developed by NanoSight Ltd, to probe the diffusion of various nanomaterials in viscous biological media. It will involve experiments on the synthesis of various nanomaterials, their fluorescent labelling and NTA studies of their diffusion in viscous media of biological or synthetic origin. It may also involve the studies of biological objects such as proteins, DNA and model virus particles.
The studentship will be jointly supervised by Dr Vitaliy Khutoryanskiy (University of Reading), Prof Adrian Williams (University of Reading) and Dr Patrick Hole (Nanosight Ltd) and will be performed within the research laboratories of University of Reading. The studentship may also involve other external collaborations.
Eligibility:
Applicant should hold or expect to hold a 2:1 or 1st class degree in chemistry, formulation science, pharmacy, biochemistry or equivalent subject.
Due to restrictions on the funding this studentship is only open to candidates from the UK/EU.
Funding Details:
- Start date: February 2013
- Duration : 3 Years
How to apply:
To apply for this studentship please send a CV and the details of two referees to Cat Ashford c.ashford@reading.ac.uk quoting studentship reference number GS12-27.
Application Deadline: 10th January 2013
Further Enquiries:
For further details please contact Dr Vitaliy Khutoryanksiy v.khutoryanskiy@reading.ac.uk
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