Ian Wark Research Institute
ARC Special Research Centre
ARC Special Research Centre
Research Area: Physical chemistry, materials science,
pharmaceutical science
Supervisors:
A/Prof David Beattie and
Dr Kristen Bremmell (School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences)
Description:
The storage and release of small therapeutic molecules from surfaces and
colloidal systems is a key goal of many drug delivery studies. Polymer
multilayer films represent a very attractive class of surface treatments
that can be used for this purpose, in for example, implants and dermal
patches. Such films can be made to be biocompatible, non-fouling, and
lubricious. In addition, these layers can be produced in such a way as
to make them stimulus responsive, i.e. their composition and properties
can be altered by 'flicking a switch' in the system, such as changing
temperature, pH, or exposure to UV light. The aim of this project is to
use such films to selectively absorb and release model therapeutic
agents in response to such stimuli.
Methodology
-
Formation of polymer mulitlayers and their characterisation using
techniques such as quartz crystal microbalance (QCM), surface plasmon
resonance (SPR), and vibrational spectroscopy (FTIR).
- Loading of the polymer layers with model and actual therapeutic agents
(monitored using QCM, SPR, UV and FTIR).
- Kinetic release studies of the therapeutic agents (monitored using QCM,
SPR, UV and FTIR).
Application information: International students should apply for an International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (IPRS). Australian students should apply for an Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) and a UniSA Australian Postgraduate Award (USAPA).
