EPSRC Platform Grant 2006 – 2010
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Bioresponsive Polymer Therapeutics: Synthesis and Characterisation of Novel Nanomedicines
EPSRC Platform Grant 2006 – 2010 |
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To fully exploit the potential of nanomedicines requires a multi-disciplinary approach. |
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Research There is an urgent need to convert the rapidly increasing
understanding of the genetic basis of disease (through genomics
and proteomics research) into improved treatments for the major
causes of mortality (cancer, cardiovascular diseases, infectious
and) and chronic debilitating diseases caused by tissue degneration
during aging. Not only will improved diagnostics and medicines
improve quality of life, they will help to reduce the healthcare
budget. Approval of > 12 polymer therapeutic products as
medicines suggests that there is a real hope that second generation
technologies to treat a broader range of diseases will deliver
healthcare benefits. To maximise therapeutic activity and ensure
safety, it is clear that rational design of constructs must
take into account of the pathophysiology of the target disease
and the desired pharmacokinetics and intracellular trafficking
construct. Molecular (nano) level characterisation of constructs
and definition of their biological structure-activity relationships
is an essential next step. Our combined expertise in physicochemical
analysis/colloid chemistry will ensure molecular characterisation
of the constructs in solution and at appropriate bio-interfaces.
Nanotechnology and “nanomedicine” in particular, are areas
of growing importance [1,2], . Nanomedicine - defined as the
science and technology of diagnosing, treating and preventing
disease and traumatic injury, of relieving pain, and of preserving
and improving human health, using molecular tools and molecular
knowledge of human body - has 5 distinct themes; (i) analytical
techniques and diagnostic tools, (ii) nano-imaging and manipulations,
(iii) nanomaterials and nanodevices, (iv) design of nanomedicines,
drug delivery, pharmaceutical development and (v) clinical use
and toxiciological issues. The research being
carried out here cuts across all 5 of these themes. Nanomedicines include nanosized polymer-based therapeutics,
imaging agents and nanoparticles [3]. The last decade has seen
the first water-soluble polymer constructs enter clinical development
and in specific cases, also routine clinical use as parenterally
administered polymeric drugs, polymer-drug conjugates, polymer-protein
conjugates, and self-assembling block-copolymer micelles. Research
funded by this award is developing polymer therapeutics for
the treatment of degenerative diseases associated with aging
(arthritis and age-related macular degeneration), as well as
more general concepts. A number of short term scoping projects are running, with different researchers contributing various levels to each project. Each project will include elements of the three mainstays of the Platform – biological testing and in vitro biological optimisation fedding back into the synthesis of next generation therapeutics. A “team-based” working promotes cross-fertilisation and training. Much of the work revolves around the use of central facilities (neutron scattering and reflection), and the associated parallel methodology present in the particular groups laboratories (X-ray scattering & reflection, NMR, EPR etc). This multi-technique approach is particularly powerful and works well with the prevailing support of the large, and well-founded existing research teams of the co-applicants. Each project will be closed once the appropriate level of understanding e.g. proof of concept, has been reached. [1] Commission of the European Communities (2004) Communication:
Towards a European Strategy
for Nanotechnology, Brussels, COM 338
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