Targetted inhaled nanotherapeutics for treatment of respiratory infections
- Funding
- Self-funded
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Apply by
- Start date
Respiratory infectious diseases have consistently posed a serious threat to human health and global well-being. According to data from the World Health Organization, pneumonia remains a leading cause of death in children worldwide. In 2017 alone, approximately 808,694 children under the age of five died from pneumonia, representing 15% of all deaths in that age group.
Additionally, tuberculosis (TB) continues to be one of the top ten causes of death globally, with around 1.6 million fatalities reported in 2017 and more than 10 million individuals currently living with the disease. Lower respiratory tract infections are particularly hard to treat because pathogens are typically located deep within the lungs and are often embedded in thick
mucus and protective biofilms. Consequently, oral or intravenous antibiotic treatments require high doses to achieve therapeutic levels in the lungs, since only a small amount of the drug is able to reach the pulmonary mucosal surface from the bloodstream. In contrast, delivering antimicrobials via inhalation allows for direct targeting of the infection site in the lungs. This approach enhances local drug concentration while reducing systemic exposure and the risk of related side effects, making it a more efficient and patient-friendly therapeutic strategy.
The aim of this PhD studentship will be to develop inhalable polymeric drug delivery systems to encapsulate novel antimicrobials for the treatment of lower respiratory infections. The research objectives include (i) Develop and characterize inhalable formulations drug delivery vehicles encapsulating novel antimcirobials, (ii) Assess antimicrobial activity against clinically relevant respiratory pathogens, including drug-resistant strains and (iii) Evaluate drug stability, aerosol performance, and lung deposition characteristics using in vitro and ex vivo models. In this highly interdisciplinary studentship, the student will gain skills in nanomaterial synthesis, materials characterisation, microbiological assays and cell biocompatibility studies.
This PhD studentship will work in line with an ongoing project between the University of Liverpool and University of Oxford to develop Inhaled therapeutics for respiratory infections.
Candidates will have, or be due to obtain, a Master’s Degree or equivalent from a reputable University in an appropriate field of Engineering. Exceptional candidates with a First Class Bachelor’s Degree in an appropriate field will also be considered.
Candidates wishing to apply should complete the University of Liverpool application form [How to apply for a PhD – University of Liverpool] applying for a PhD in Materials Engineering and uploading: Degree Certificates & Transcripts, an up-to-date CV, a covering letter/personal statement and two academic references.
| Raechelle D’Sa | r.dsa@liverpool.ac.uk |
| Jenny Hanson | Zippy78@liverpool.ac.uk |
| Elena Mitsi | elena.mitsi@paediatrics.ox.ac.uk |
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Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Full-time place, per year - £5,006
Full time international fee: £31,250 or £24,600 per year.* Fees apply to academic year 2025/26. *Please note: if you're an international student undertaking a PhD within the Faculty of Science and Engineering, the fee you pay will reflect the nature of your research project. Some research projects incur a higher fee than others, for example if you're required to undertake laboratory work. You'll be informed of the fee for your intended PhD in your offer letter.
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Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this project, as well as general student living costs.
If you're a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan worth up to £30,301 to help with course fees and living costs.
There’s also a variety of alternative sources of funding. These include funded research opportunities and financial support from UK research councils, charities and trusts. Your supervisor may be able to help you secure funding.
We've set the country or region your qualifications are from as United Kingdom.
We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition fees and living expenses.
If you’re awarded this prestigious scholarship, you’ll receive significant funding to support your postgraduate research. This includes full payment of your PhD fees and a cash bursary of £17,000 per year while you study. One award is available in each academic year.
If you’re a UK student, either born in or with strong family connections to Merseyside, you could be eligible to apply for financial support worth up to £12,000 per year for up to three years of full-time postgraduate research (or up to five years part-time pro-rata).
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