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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 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

    Dr Chris. E. Goldring

    Professor David. J. Back

    Professor Saye H. Khoo

    Professor S. A. Ward

    Professor B. Kevin Park

    Professor Munir Pirmohamed