NANODRUG

Novel nanoparticles for drug delivery to the skin

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The aim of the NANODRUG Network is to contribute to the defragmentation of the emerging field of nanomedicine by providing a unique training programme that will cover all different aspects ranging from NP synthesis and characterisation, drug delivery, molecular biology to nanotoxicology, preclinical studies, risk assessment and nanotechnology policy making. The NANODRUG training program is far superior to any training that individual partners can provide and will equip researchers with innovative and creative skills and enhance their career prospects in the public and private sectors. The scientific aim of this research training network is to develop and characterise a selected set of novel intelligent nanomaterials and to study their suitability as novel drug delivery systems targeting inflammatory skin diseases. The development and use of the NP described in this project aims to overcome the current difficulties that limit the applications of NP to skin drug delivery. The unique physico-chemical properties of these novel NP such as ultra small size, large surface to mass ratio, high reactivity and the capability to tailor them to applications will ensure that when complexed with drugs the pharmacokinetics and therapeutic index of the delivery systems can be significantly improved compared to the free molecules and the capability to pass the SC of the skin greatly enhanced. This project brings together 6 academic groups and 2 industrial teams as full partners, complemented by 3 associate partners, one of which is an industrial team, distributed over a total of 6 EU member states and 1 non-ICPC country. The consortium brings together groups with a very interdisciplinary expertise ranging from polymer synthesis and characterisation, computational modelling and physicochemical characterisation of materials to bioavailability, NP formulation, drug distribution and nanotoxicity, genetics, drug delivery and clinical dermatology.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Given their tiny sizes and virtually limitless possibilities for tailored properties and functions, nanoparticles (NPs) are ushering in a new era of localised and specific drug delivery. An EU-funded training network is blazing a trail to applications.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

NPs, materials on the scale of atoms and molecules, are often highly reactive and exhibit exotic properties compared to the same materials in bulk form. This is largely due to their high surface area to volume ratios. They have become integral components of devices and systems in fields from electronics to energy to biomedicine.

With a focus on overcoming current limitations to the use of NPs for topical and transdermal drug delivery, the EU-funded http://www.nanodrug.qmul.ac.uk/ (NANODRUG) (Novel nanoparticles for drug delivery to the skin) project has formed a training network to unite currently fragmented research. The partners are training fellows in all related aspects, from NP synthesis to drug delivery to nanotoxicology and nanotechnology policymaking.

Now at its midterm, the small but powerful consortium of 6 academic and 2 industrial partners and their fellows has filed 11 patents and published over 100 papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Early-stage researchers (ESRs) have received extensive training covering not only scientific areas and transferable skills but also specific language courses and opportunities for career development. All the fellows attended the first and second NANODRUG summer training schools and a workshop on nanomaterials, drug delivery and diagnosis. They have also attended more than 30 national and international conferences and workshops at which they gave 6 oral presentations and 15 poster presentations.

Outreach is a pillar of NANODRUGS. The Coordinator of NANODRUG is a science, technology, engineering and mathematics ambassador, and fellows regularly take part in or organise events that promote science to the general public, and specifically to primary and secondary school children.

Work on developing drug-NP complexes and associated biocompatibility, toxicity and mechanistic studies is well ahead of schedule, and the second generation of NPs with improved physicochemical properties is on the way. Pre-clinical studies planned for the very end of the project have already begun with promising preliminary results.

The NANODRUG network has proved the value of teamwork and close collaboration and cooperation among experts and enthusiastic ESRs. The project expects to make a major impact on NP-based drug delivery while creating a legacy of highly trained researchers to fuel continued progress.