Magnetic Nanobot Drug Delivery Vehicles for the treatment of cancer

Description

NTHU-UoL Dual PhD Programme between National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan and the University of Liverpool in the UK is a well-established programme, where students spending 2 years at both institutions. Working with world leading academics and research capabilities the PhD candidates will spend two years in each institution. Upon successful defence of their research work, the candidates will obtain dual PhD degrees.

Drug delivery technologies have enabled the development of many pharmaceutical products that improve patient health by facilitating the delivery of a therapeutic to its target site, enhancing bioavailability, reducing toxicity and improving patient compliance. In recent years, many nanoscale drug delivery vehicles have been fabricated but drug delivery in complicated physiological environments is still challenging. As the size of drug delivery vehicle is often in the micro or nano scale, it needs to overcome Brownian motion to enable locomotion in complex body fluids. As a result, exogenous power is used to control and coordinate the movement of the drug delivery vehicle. Controllable drug delivery vehicles, or nanobots, can be externally controlled by light, electric field, ultrasound or by chemicals but all of these propulsion methods have limitations that can effect their use including lack of directionality or the generation of toxic chemicals during propulsion. Magnetically driven nanobots address most of the drawbacks associated with other propulsion principles, as they can be manipulated with low frequency magnetic fields in a non-invasive way and they can penetrate biological tissues.

Magnetically-driven nanobot drug delivery vehicles could address many of the shortfalls associated with traditional cancer chemotherapeutics, potentially revolutionising drug delivery for cancer treatment by actively targetting cancerous cells, subsequently reducing adverse effects and improving therapeutic efficacy. Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) utilizes the selective absorption of the boron-10 compound, boronophenylalanine (BPA), by cancerous cells as opposed to healthy tissue, as a form of radiation treatment. This approach, particularly effective in treating head and neck cancer or glioma, has yielded promising results. NTHU has pioneered the development of BNCT, boasting cutting-edge facilities such as a distinctive open reactor, thereby establishing itself as a premier global hub for BNCT research and cancer treatment advancements.

This project will involve the development of novel magnetically driven nanobots with biodegradable hydrogel capsules containing BPA and radiosensitizers , such as PARP inhibitors, to enhance the BPA-BNCT treatment in cancer patients. The magnetic properties of the particle can be exploited to direct the drug delivery vehicle to a specific part of the body, and the degradable hydrogel shell will allow for controlled release of drugs at the targeted site.

This project is a joint PhD between the University of Liverpool (UoL) and National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) with 2 years spent at each location.

There are four objectives within the project

1) Fabrication and characterisation of biodegradable hydrogel capsule (UoL);

2) Fabrication and characterisation of magnetically driven nanobots (UoL);

3) In-vitro testing (NTHU);

4) Establishment of toxicity profile to establish preclinical proof-of concept.

We want all of our staff and Students to feel that Liverpool is an inclusive and welcoming environment that actively celebrates and encourages diversity. We are committed to working with students to make all reasonable project adaptations including supporting those with caring responsibilities, disabilities or other personal circumstances. For example, If you have a disability you may be entitled to a Disabled Students Allowance on top of your studentship to help cover the costs of any additional support that a person studying for a doctorate might need as a result. We believe everyone deserves an excellent education and encourage students from all backgrounds and personal circumstances to apply.

Applicant Eligibility

Candidates will have, or be due to obtain, a Master’s Degree or equivalent from a reputable University in an appropriate field of Engineering. Exceptional candidates with a First Class Bachelor’s Degree in an appropriate field will also be considered. Application Process Candidates wishing to apply should complete the University of Liverpool application form [How to apply for a PhD - University of Liverpool] applying for a PhD in Materials Engineering and uploading: Degree Certificates & Transcripts, an up-to-date CV, a covering letter/personal statement and two academic references.