Research
Research Interest 1
Drug metabolism and drug transport are affected by highly specialised proteins which are predominantly expressed within the intestine and gut. Collectively, these proteins regulate the bioavailability and clearance of drugs. In addition, many drug-drug interactions occur as a result of induction and/or inhibition of one or more of these proteins. A number of studies are underway to both define tissue-specific patterns of expression and drug-specific substrate recognition.
Single nucleotide polymorphsims (SNPs) are an important source of genetic variability within the population. In addition, there are substantial differences between populations with respect to frequency but also to which SNPs are present. In numerous collaborations the role of SNPs in drug transporter and drug metabolism genes is currently being assessed in both a drug-specific and population-specific manner. In addition, studies are underway to assess the impact of SNPs in immunological genes that influence viral replication within the host.
Traditional nanomedicine approaches belong to two broad classes; “nanocarriers” and “nanoparticle engineering”. Current antiretroviral treatments are given in chronic doses and administered at least daily over several decades to suppress viral replication. Patient compliance is critical in preventing viral resistance, but even in compliant patients, the bioavailability of many antiretrovirals is low and the pharmacokinetics are variable. Nanoformulation offers many potential advantages such as modified administration routes, reduced cost, reduced toxicity wider tolerability and increased patient compliance. We are producing nanomedicines from current antiretrovirals and exploring their potential clinical benefits. We are now exploring how the physicochemical properties of nanomedicines relate to their pharmacological and toxicological properties. This understanding will doubtless enhance our ability to generate safe new medicines.
Research groups
Research grants
Academia and Industry United Innovation and Treatment for Tuberculosis ( UNITE4TB)
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
June 2021 - May 2028
Nanoparticle processing and development
TANDEM NANO LTD (UK)
April 2020 - May 2026
Bench Fees for May Hasan D Al Adwani (201534091)
ROYAL EMBASSY OF SAUDI ARABIA CULTURAL BUREAU IN LONDON (UK)
April 2021 - September 2024
Preclinical research of therapeutics from DNDi against Sars-CoV2
WELLCOME TRUST (UK)
September 2020 - March 2023
Nanoparticle Interventions for Colorectal Cancer
CANCER RESEARCH UK (UK)
October 2016 - September 2021
Long-Acting/Extended Release Antiretroviral Resource Program (LEAP)
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH (USA)
July 2015 - May 2030
European Nanotechnology Characterisation Laboratory
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
May 2015 - December 2019
Pharmacologic strategies to use the levonorgestrel implant in HIV-infected women
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH (USA)
December 2015 - November 2020
Regulatory Science Framework for Nano(bio)material-based Medical Products and Devices (REFINE)
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
December 2017 - February 2022
Investigating the influence of pregnancy-induced changes in antiretroviral pharmacokinetics, together with polymorphisms in drug disposition genes, on viral decay dynamics in HIV positive women starting therapy late in pregnancy and postpartum
WELLCOME TRUST (UK)
June 2017 - July 2021
Computational models for the prediction of PK in special populations
UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL BASEL (SWITZERLAND)
January 2017 - January 2020
In vitro and in vivo assessment of nanoemulsion co-formulations of dolutegravir and rilpivirine.
BRITISH SOCIETY FOR ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY (UK)
June 2017 - December 2018
An Injectable Implant Providing Long-Acting Drug Delivery for the Treatment of Chronic disease
ENGINEERING & PHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL
April 2019 - April 2023
Nanoengineered microneedle arrays for enhanced delivery of long-acting HIV medicines
ENGINEERING & PHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL
August 2019 - July 2022
Long acting NRTI therapies for HIV
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH (USA)
July 2017 - June 2023
New Branched Polymers Excipients and Emulsions for Enhanced Drug Delivery
ENGINEERING & PHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL
July 2018 - June 2023
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) simplification
WITS REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH & HIV INSTITUTE (S AFRICA)
October 2015 - October 2020
Non-Attrition HAART nanoparticle therapies for HIV/AIDS Drug Delivery
ENGINEERING & PHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL
May 2009 - October 2012
Assessment of the impact of host genetic variation on the response to lopinavir-containing regimens in HIV+ patients.
WELLCOME TRUST (UK)
June 2005 - August 2005
Modulation of TB-HIV drug interaction by host genetic influences
MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
July 2010 - June 2013
Towards complete sustained release nanoformulations of NRTI based regimens
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH (USA)
July 2014 - June 2019
EURIPIDES - EUropean Research initiative to develop Imaging Probes for early In-vivo Diagnosis and Evaluation of response to therapeutic Substances
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
February 2008 - January 2013
Pickering-stabilised Nanoemulsions as Novel Antiretroviral Drug Delivery Systems
BRITISH SOCIETY FOR ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY (UK)
October 2009 - September 2013
Effectiveness of Antiretroviral Therapy in Nigeria
NATIONAL UNIVERSITIES COMMISSION (NIGERIA)
November 2014 - October 2017
Pharmacogenetic and pharmacokinetic studies.
MONUMENT TRUST (UK)
August 2005 - April 2011
Application of nanomedicine to childhood diseases.
ALDER HEY CHILDREN'S NHS FOUNDATION TRUST (UK)
October 2013 - September 2016
Contribution of genetic variation to pharmacokinetic variability and toxicity in patients undergoing multi-drug tuberculosis treatment in Sub-Saharan Africa
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH (USA)
August 2013 - July 2018
Investigation of the role of ABCB5 in corticosteroid transport and response in IBD
NAT ASSOC FOR COLITIS & CROHNS DISEASE (UK)
November 2009 - February 2012
Towards NanoMedicine Interventions for HIV/AIDS
ENGINEERING & PHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL
May 2012 - November 2016
Inter-individual variability in pharmacokinetics and response to protease inhibitor-based antiretroviral therapy.
MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
June 2009 - July 2012
Influence of genetic polymorphisms on antiretroviral pharmacokinetics
WELLCOME TRUST (UK)
July 2013 - August 2013
Antiepileptic drug transport at the blood-brain barrier; more than just P-glycoprotein
EPILEPSY RESEARCH INSTITUTE UK (UK)
October 2010 - September 2014
Integrated radiomaterials chemistry for simultaneous multi-component tracking of nanomedicines in biological matrices
ENGINEERING & PHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL
September 2014 - March 2018
Liverpool Imaging Partnership: Molecular physiology and drug response
MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
February 2013 - February 2017
New Nanoscale Drug Delivery Systems and their Application to HIV/AIDS treatment
ENGINEERING & PHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL
November 2011 - April 2016
Pharmacogenetic and functional analysis of novel GSTP1 polymorphism.
ROYAL LIVERPOOL AND BROADGREEN UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS TRUST (UK)
May 2005 - January 2007
Antiretroviral pharmacogenetics
ZARQA UNIVERSITY (JORDAN)
November 2014 - October 2017
Bridging and accelerating the translation of novel scientific findings for health and wealth gain
MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
March 2014 - August 2015
Factors influencing drug absorption from small bowel.
ROYAL LIVERPOOL AND BROADGREEN UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS TRUST (UK)
October 2006 - September 2008
TAILoR (TelmisArtan and InsuLin Resistance in HIV): A dose-ranging Phase II randomised open trial of telmistartan as a strategy for the reduction of insulin resistance in HIV-positive individuals on Combination Antiretroviral Therapy (CART)
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE (UK)
January 2012 - February 2020
Pharmacogenetic predictors of antiretroviral drugs pharmacokinetics, efficacy and safety during pregnancy and lactation
OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY (OAU) (NIGERIA)
September 2013 - September 2016
Development of solid drug nanoparticle for treatment of mycobacterium tuberculosis
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH (USA)
October 2013 - December 2013
Research collaborations
Professor Steve Rannard
Synthesis and pharmacological characterisation of novel medical nanoparticles