2023 RTP - The applications of nano formulations and permeation enhancers in scaffold-associated healing in the middle ear.

Curtin University, Australia

Updated: almost 2 years ago
Location: Perth, WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Deadline: The position may have been removed or expired!

Status: Open

Applications open: 8/07/2022
Applications close: 18/08/2022

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About this scholarship

Specialised ear-based scaffold that are implanted within the middle ear, include those implanted directly on the ear drum in order to assess healing. These middle ear implants have been recently proposed as innovative ways to help heal damaged ear drums, middle ear acute and chronic perforation, and other ear-related conditions. Major challenges to these implants that their efficacy and safety profiles can be compromised by inflammation and infection. One way to overcome such challenges is via coating them with nano gel that exhibit antiinflammatory and antibacterial effects.  
Pharmaceutical and medical grade permeation enhancers can be either endogenously and naturally produced in humans or chemically synthesized. Usually they are small molecules that have been notionally researched in not only pharmaceutical sciences and drug research and development, but also in the food and agriculture industry. In pharmaceutical formulation, permeation enhances have been recently proposed as enablers of drug enhanced diffusion within biological fluids and subsequent drug elusion through biological membranes in various dosage forms including oral, nasal, ocular and otic formulations. Of recently, permeation enhancers that have their own biological effects have been explored as an adjunct therapy to complement drug applications in implanted devices such as middle ear implants. One biological effect of permeation enhancers that is desired for ear implants is antiinflammatory effects. In addition, permeation enhancers can be combined with well-established antibiotics and incorporated within middle ear implants using nanotechnology. Hence, this project is the first to attempt at designing novel nano gel that encapsulate a permeation enhancer with a drug of choice, in order to optimise the efficacy and long-term safety of ear implants. A drug of choice with ear implant is an antibiotic that can reduce potential infection, post implantation. Hence, the project aims to create a new generation of nano gel for ear implants. The project’s overarching goal is designing a new gel that coats the implant, and overcome major obstacles of infection post implantation, via incorporation of an antibiotic with a permeation enhancer. An example of permeation enhancer with antiinflammatory effects is the drug, dexamethasone, while a well-established antibiotic for ear infections is ciprofloxacin. 
Recent studies have demonstrated powerful antiinflammatory effects of dexamethasone, in addition to its permeation enhancement and formulation-stabilisation effects when encapsulated with other drugs. When encapsulated with off-the-shelf polymers, dexamethasone produces stable nano and micro gel that exhibit favourable rheological and pharmaceutical properties. The project has three main stages. The first stage aims at in situ examination of various dexamethasone and ciprofloxacin formulations. The second stage is in vitro investigation of biocompatibility studies. The third stage is preclinical application of the nano gel in middle ear implants and tissue repair and healing. 


  • Future Students

  • Faculty of Health Sciences

  • Higher Degree by Research

  • Australian Citizen
  • Australian Permanent Resident
  • New Zealand Citizen
  • Permanent Humanitarian Visa

  • Merit Based

The annual scholarship package (stipend and tuition fees) is approx. $60,000 - $70,000 p.a.

 

Successful HDR applicants for admission will receive a 100% fee offset for up to 4 years, stipend scholarships, valued at $28,854 p.a. for up to a maximum of 3.5 years, are determined via a competitive selection process. Applicants will be notified of the scholarship outcome in November 2022. 

 

For detailed information, visit: Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarships | Curtin University, Perth, Australia.


Scholarship Details

1


All applicable HDR courses


Ideally, a graduate with science and related background who has keen interest in drug development and biotechnology. 


Application process

If this project excites you, and your research skills and experience are a good fit for this specific project, you should contact the Project Lead (listed below in the enquires section) via the Expression of Interest (EOI) form. ahead of the closing date.


Enrolment Requirements

Eligible to enrol in a Higher Degree by Research Course at Curtin University by March 2023


Enquiries

To enquire about this project opportunity that includes a scholarship application, contact the Project lead, Dr Hani Al-Salami via the EOI form above.



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