Bioerodible inserts as a platform for controlled ocular drug delivery

At present, topical eye drops remain the most common method for treating ocular disease, accounting for 90% of all ophthalmic formulations; however, ocular anatomy and physiology present several barriers that derail the effective and efficient delivery of medications from eye drops. For instance, to achieve antimicrobial efficacy, antibiotic eye drops require frequent instillation, exposing to the risk of patient non-adherence and consequent inefficacy of treatment regimens. Antibiotic-loaded insert formulations offer the opportunity to address challenges in ocular drug delivery, but none is currently available on the market.

Following the successful development and characterisation of an antibiotic-loaded ocular insert within our research group [1], capable of releasing antibiotic drug in a controlled manner above the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of model gram +ve and gram -ve bacteria, the current project aims to sustain drug release from this platform and establish its application for treatment of other diseases of the anterior segment. The inserts will be tailored to accommodate a variety of drug classes, making them versatile for addressing a spectrum of ocular diseases, including glaucoma, macular degeneration, and inflammatory conditions. This work will utilise a quality by design (QbD) approach [2] to ensure quality, safety, and efficacy of formulated medicines in terms of physico-chemical characterisation, mechanical characterisation, and biological interactions utilising mammalian and bacterial cell culture. Concepts such as fixed dose combinations will also be explored, all to reduce the drug burden for patients and enhance compliance. Development of bioerodible inserts as a foundational framework for ocular drug delivery presents a revolutionary solution to improve the management of diverse ocular diseases. The controlled release features inherent in these inserts have the capacity to transform therapeutic results significantly, presenting a promising pathway for the advancement of inventive ocular drug delivery systems.

References:

Desiato, A.; Iyire, A.; Bhogal-Bhamra, P.; Naroo, S.; Gil-cazorla, R. (2022) Optimisation and evaluation of a soluble ocular insert for sustained release of levofloxacine. Ivestigative Ophthalmology & Vision Science 63(7): 3959–A0239-3059–A0239 Dahmash, E.Z.; Al-khattawi, A.; Iyire, A.; Al-Yami, H.; Denisson, T.; Mohammed, A.R. (2018) Quality by Design (QbD) based process optimisation to develop functionalised particles with modified release properties using novel dry particle coating technique. PloS One 13(11): e0206651

Supervisors

Dr Affiong Lyire
Dr Raquel Gil-Cazorla
 

PhD programmes are for those who are seeking to develop greater in-depth knowledge in a specific area. Completing this level of study is about making an original contribution to knowledge, making new discoveries and developing lifelong skills. 

At Aston University, our Engineering and Physical Sciences PhD programmes will provide all the support and facilities you will need to develop into a leading researcher in your chosen field.  You will be welcomed into a supportive community with a shared enthusiasm for original research, where diversity and multidisciplinary is championed.

Person Specification

Candidates should have been awarded, or expect to achieve, EITHER:

• A Bachelors degree in a relevant subject with an award of First Class or 2.1. 

OR 

• A Bachelors degree in a relevant subject with an award of First Class or 2.1, and a Masters degree in a relevant subject with an award of Merit or higher.

Qualifications from other countries which are considered by Aston University to be equivalent to that described above will be eligible to apply.

Submitting an application

We can only consider applications that are complete and have all supporting documents. Applications that do not provide all the relevant documents will be automatically rejected. Your application must include: 

1. English language copies of the transcripts and certificates for all your higher education degrees, including any Bachelor's degrees.
    
2. A Research Statement detailing your understanding of the research area, how you would approach the project, and a brief review of relevant literature. Be sure to use the title of the research project you are applying for. There is no set format or word count. 
    
3. A personal statement which outlines any further information which you think is relevant to your application, such as your personal suitability for research, career aspirations, possible future research interests, and further description of relevant employment experience. 
    
4. Two academic referees who can discuss your suitability for independent research. References must be on headed paper, signed, and dated no more than 2 years old. At least one reference should be from your most recent University. You can submit your references at a later date if necessary. 
    
5. Evidence that you meet the English Language requirements. If you do not currently meet the language requirements, you can submit this at a later stage. 
    
6. A copy of your passport. Where relevant, include evidence of settled or pre-settled status.

Interviews

Interviews will be conducted online via Microsoft Teams. If you are shortlisted, you will be contacted directly with details of the interview.  

Studying a PhD is great route into academia and industries that are centred on research and innovation. Areas with a demand for very high level and specialised research skills often demand PhDs.

In addition to this specialist knowledge, PhD education will help you to develop a set of valuable transferrable skills. The very nature of studying an intensive research degree will enable you to become a team player, develop problem-solving skills, analytical thinking, and advanced presentation and communication skills.

The variety of PhD project topics at Aston means that the destinations of our graduates vary substantially. Some choose to continue into academia, at either Aston or other leading institutions, while others go onto use their newly acquired skills in a range of research, healthcare, industry or charitable fields. When selecting your chosen PhD path at Aston, your supervisor will be able to provide you with relevant career opportunities that could be available to you in your specialist area.