Two PhD Positions in Oral delivery of RNA therapeutics using novel biomaterials (# of pos: 2)

Two PhD Positions in Oral delivery of RNA therapeutics using novel biomaterials

Based in the O’Driscoll Pharmacodelivery group and Kowalski lab for smart drug delivery technologies, School of Pharmacy University College Cork, Ireland.  

These are fully funded PhD studentships under the GENEGUT Research and Innovation Action.

GENEGUT has received funding from the European Commission under the HORIZON-HLTH-2021-TOOL-06 Programme Grant Agreement number 101057491.

About GENEGUT

The GENEGUT Research and Innovation Action brings together a multidisciplinary team of nine European partners and aims to develop a first-in-class, orally administered RNA-based therapy for ileal Crohn’s disease which selectively targets novel nucleic acid-based therapeutic modalities to the diseased site in the small intestine. GENEGUT will tackle this delivery dilemma by utilising novel biomaterials to formulate RNA NPs, which will be delivered orally in a device engineered to achieve site-specific intestinal release and accumulation locally in diseased intestinal tissue. Pivotal proof-of-efficacy will be demonstrated in a pig model of chronic intestinal inflammation and a 3D multi-cellular model of ileal CD. For more information about the project please see: https://genegut.eu/ . 

About the project

The concept of utilising nucleic acids to manipulate genes for therapeutic purposes is well known. However, the ability to translate this concept into a gene medicine has to date been limited by the availability of safe and effective delivery systems. These PhD projects will focus on the design of nano formulations containing a range of RNA cargos including short interfering RNA (siRNA) and messenger RNA (mRNA). The formulations will be engineered using novel biomaterials based mainly on functionalised cyclodextrins (O’Driscoll lab) and novel polymers (Kowalski lab).  Oral administration of RNA-drugs is a new and exciting challenge that will build on 25 years of experience in the development of RNA therapeutics and oral drug delivery in the UCC School of Pharmacy. New biomaterials will be synthesised in collaboration with one of our industrial partners, will be utilised to formulate the nucleic acid into nanoparticles (NPs) via a range of processing techniques including microfluidics. The NPs will be designed for stability in biological fluids including gastro intestinal fluids. Prototype NPs will be fully characterised and physicochemical properties, including size, charge and morphology will be measured. Cellular uptake and resultant gene modulation will be quantified in an in vitro model of Crohn’s disease simulating the in vivo environment. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to interact with other PhD student involved in in vivo animal screening of the developed NP formulations.

About the candidate

The successful candidate will be exceptionally enthusiastic, creative, and driven with a passion for interdisciplinary science and translational research and have a desire to apply their talents to high-impact work aimed at improving patient outcomes.

Eligibility criteria

• Applicants must have a first class or upper second-class honours degree in Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biomedical Engineering or related disciplines e.g. Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmacology.
• M.Sc. degree is desirable but not essential.
• Prospective Ph.D. students should have prior practical laboratory experience.
• Candidates should have strong interpersonal skills and excellent oral/written communication skills.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas will be beneficial but is not required: RNA and drug delivery, anatomy and physiology of the gastrointestinal tract, formulation and preparation of nanoparticles, cyclodextrin/ polymer chemistry, intestinal cell culture models and animal work
• Applicants must all meet UCC eligibility requirements for registration as a PhD student.

Funding detail

• Successful candidates will receive stipend of €18,500 per annum (tax exempt) for three years plus registration fees (at EU level).