Projects

Multifunctional Nanomaterials in Cancer Therapy (www.uclannanomedicine.net)

Concept of magnetic nanoparticles in drug delivery (Ref: https://theconversation.com/meet-the-nanomachines-that-could-drive-a-medical-revolution-58107)

Molecularly imprinted polymers; MIPs for novel therapeutics in the body and the novel capture of ribosomes

Dr Sub Reddy from the School of Physical Sciences and Computing is UCLan’s Principal Investigator on multi-disciplinary research projects funded by The Wellcome Trust and The Leverhulme Trust.

He is developing smart biomimetic materials (molecularly imprinted polymers; MIPs) as alternative synthetic, stable, ethical and economical antibodies. Rapid antibody development is important for initial treatment of an infection, and novel vaccine development is crucial to the agenda on innovative manufacturing of macromolecular therapies for emergent diseases. Dr Reddy is directing the research of MIPs for novel therapeutics in the body and the novel capture of ribosomes respectively. In evidence of his ongoing leadership in multi-disciplinary research, he is currently PI of a Wellcome Trust grant (£100k; 2016-2018) collaborating with Dr Simon Graham, Veterinary Biologist (University of Surrey) and co-PI of a Leverhulme grant (£164k; 2014-2017), collaborating with Professor Andre Gerber (RNA Biologist, University of Surrey).

Towards a condensed screening platform for aggregation profiling

Prof Robert Forbes from the School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science is UCLan’s Principal Investigator for a recently launched  £1M+ Innovate UK Collaborative R& D grant project.

Biotherapeutic drugs are an increasingly important class of new medicines and their effective action in the therapeutic treatment of disease has attracted interest from both academic and industry sectors. Despite the overwhelming benefits to patients, the availability of these drugs at point-of-care is inextricably linked to their affordability. This project brings together biopharmaceutical companies including CPI, academic research leaders (Prof RT Forbes, UClan) and developers of scientific instruments  (Malvern Instruments Ltd, Paraytec Ltd.) in order to produce novel sensors that can improve the detection of nano-sized drug aggregates throughout the drug development process. With this novel analytical technology, we aim to attenuate the risks associated with aggregation to ensure the delivery of safe and cost-effective drugs in the future.