The University of Sheffield
Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health
School of Clinical Dentistry
Investigating transmucosal drug delivery.
Supervisor: Dr Helen Colley
Project: Most drugs are delivered either via the oral route as tablets or
intravenously. However, these routes have significant drawbacks that drive the
search for alternative options. Drug delivery either into or through the oral mucosa
offers a number of advantages over other drug delivery routes. These include
avoidance of the gastrointestinal tract and hepatic first-pass metabolism, lower
enzymatic activity, local delivery for mucosal disease and ease of administration. In
addition, oral mucosal drug delivery is particularly suited to drugs that have poor
solubility and/or poor bioavailability or where the drug needs to be administered for
prolonged durations. The mechanism of drug permeation across the oral mucosa is
not well understood due to the complicated structure of the tissue. This project aims
to investigate transmucosal drug delivery using tissue engineering techniques.
Tissue engineered oral mucosa will be generated in the lab and a number of drugs
will be applied to its surface. The movement and the quantity of drug delivered
across the mucosa will be measured using a number of techniques such as confocal
microscopy, ELISA, HPLC etc. Drugs will then be modified to improve transmucosal
delivery. This project will bring together tissue engineering, pharmacology and drug
delivery systems.
Entry Requirements:
Candidates must have a first or upper second class honors degree or significant
research experience.
Enquiries:
Interested candidates should in the first instance contact Dr Helen Colley
h.colley@shef.ac.uk
How to apply:
Please complete a University Postgraduate Research Application form and attach at
least two references to your application. To complete the application form please
visit: www.shef.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/apply.
Please clearly state the prospective main supervisor in the respective box and select
‘Clinical Dentistry’ as the department.
Closing date: Open