Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology
MR Alexander , JW Aylott , JC Burley , MC Davies , CJ Roberts
Nanotechnology is the ability to understand and control matter at the very smallest scales, from around 100 nanometres right down to the dimensions of single atoms; a nanometre is one thousand millionth of a metre or about the distance your hair grows in one second. At this scale, properties can be very different when compared to those with which we are familiar. Such radical new properties mean that nanotechnology has the potential to revolutionise our current technologies and industries, and offers many opportunities to create revolutionary new drug delivery systems, formulations for poorly soluble drugs and novel devices. Current research projects include:
Our work has been pivotal in the establishment of two new Nanocentres in Nottingham, a successful spin-out company and a new Nanoscience Masters course.
The £3.2 million Nottingham Nanotechnology and Nanoscience Centre (NNNC) brings together expertise across the University. Clive Roberts, from our group and the Centre’s Director, said of this project: “Immense value will be added to the excellent fundamental and applied nanotechnology activities already taking place in Nottingham, creating new teaching and research resources for the region and beyond.”
The NNNC is home to the Nanoscience Masters which has recently received support from the BBSRC and EPSRC is specifically tailored to attract high quality graduates from across the life and physical sciences. The aim is to generate the people that the UK economy desperately needs to meet the growing demand for a highly skilled “nano-aware” workforce.
We are also driving Nanotechnology forward from an industrial perspective through the development of “ eminate ”, a £6.5 million DTI/East Midlands Development Agency based in the heart of Nottingham. This project is one of an integrated, nationwide network of Centres funded by the MNT Initiative and now the Technology Strategy Board. eminate provides expertise in characterisation, fabrication and development in aspects of nanotechnology related to the pharmaceutical industry.
Clive Roberts also organized Nano-EXPO 2007, a successful two day international meeting taking place in Nottingham involving leading industrialists and academics. A significant component of this activity was an interactive three day exhibition in Nottingham Market Square and public lectures which attracted over 5000 visitors and many local Schools. This exhibition was expanded in 2008 to visit 6 cities across the Midlands, attracting over 23,000 people ( NanoWhat ).
Quantitative nanoscale analysis of pharmaceutical materials
We are leaders in quantitative nanoscale morphological, tribological and physicochemical analysis of pharmaceutical materials and their interactions using AFM and complementary surface analysis tools, such as nanothermal analysis, Tof-SIMS, Raman and XPS. Work of the group has yielded significant insights into formulation design and development. For example we reported for the first time: quantitative measure of work of adhesion and surface energy from single drug and excipient particles (BBSRC), the first nanoscale measurements of elastic modulus of crystalline and amorphous pharmaceutical materials (EPSRC, Industry), the influence of electrostatic charging on, and the tribological single particle measurements of particle-particle and particle-device systems (BBSRC, Industry).
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Nanoscale analysis of advanced drug delivery systems and biomaterials
The application of our surface techniques to the characterisation of novel pharmaceutical and biomedical materials includes the examination of the micro- and nano-structure of solid dispersions, co-crystals and drug loaded polymer stents. The development of novel nanoparticulate delivery systems is being explored in collaboration with a number of researchers and partners, including eminate Ltd and a recently funded EPSRC programme with Cameron Alexander is focused on the development of colloidal cellular delivery systems.
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Novel self-assembled peptide nanostructures for drug delivery
We are exploring a new platform method for the stabilization and delivery of therapeutics, including biomolecules. Currently there are a limited number of proven methods of stabilizing and delivery biologics. This severely limits the delivery route options and the potential of some therapies. We are investigating the potential of self-assembled peptide nano and microstructures for drug delivery. This involves evaluating the toxicity, stability of these structures and their ability to release the active.
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Academic staff
Professor MR Alexander - Professor of Biomedical Surfaces
Dr JW Aylott - Lecturer in Analytical Bioscience
Dr JC Burley - Lecturer in Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology
Professor MC Davies - Professor of Biomedical Surface Chemistry
Professor CJ Roberts - Professor in Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology