Molly Stevens - Bionanoscience 'Development of biocompatible micro and nanoparticles for the delivery of vaccines'
The Pandemic Sciences Institute, University of Oxford, is committed to finding solutions to counteract future pandemic threats through science, innovation and building systems of global preparedness. This DPhil project is a collaboration between two PSI research groups led by Professor Dame Molly Stevens and Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert working towards novel delivery mechanisms for vaccines. Professor Molly Stevens’ team is interested in applying innovative bioengineering approaches and designer biomaterials to address some of the major healthcare challenges across diagnostics, advanced therapeutics and regenerative medicine. Professor Sarah Gilbert leads a research team generating vaccines against emerging pathogens, developing technology for the rapid transfer of vaccines into GMP manufacturing and assessing novel vaccine delivery mechanisms. This DPhil project represents an exciting opportunity to build on the current and innovative research programmes from these two research groups with the aim of developing new biomaterials and micro and nanoparticles for the delivery of vaccines through various routes of administration. The successful candidate will have full access to state-of-the-art laboratories in the Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Discovery within Prof. Molly Stevens’ laboratory.
Non-invasive vaccine delivery routes - for example oral, dermal or intranasal - are desirable for vaccine administration as they offer more convenience in terms of storage and distribution and self-administration, and ultimately lead to higher vaccination compliance. However, non-injectable vaccine administration is faced with the challenge of delivering a biologically active vaccine through the GI tract, across the skin barrier or into the nasal cavity. We are interested in combining biomaterials and bioengineering techniques with adenoviral vaccine platform technology to explore different delivery routes through encapsulation of vaccines in biocompatible materials, allowing controlled degradation of the nanoparticles and targeted vaccine release.
Applicants selecting this project can be considered for an Oxford-Moh Family Foundation Global Health Scholarship alongside other departmental scholarships depending on meeting the eligibility criteria.
Brief description of training opportunities
The successful candidate will become part of a collaborative research team and receive training in the fields of biomaterials, bioengineering and vaccinology. Participating in this research project will provide the student with a wide range of transferable skills as well as unique insight into translational research. The project will allow the opportunity to gain experience in techniques such as:
- Computer assisted design of microparticles
- Polymer-design/synthesis of degradable biomaterials
- 3D-(2-photon)-printing, drug-loading and sealing of microparticles
- Designing and studying controlled drug release profiles based on chemsitry/structure
- Microfluidic-microparticle fabrication
- Up-scaling of microparticle-fabrication
- Handling of adenovirus-based vaccines in vitro
- in vitro virus infectivity assays and immunogenicity assays such as Elispots and ELISAs.
PSI DPhil students have the opportunity to participate in active student-led events, seminars, and workshops. They are encouraged to play an active role within research groups, presenting data, joining discussions, attending a variety of seminars and workshops across departments and attending international conferences. Public outreach is a key component of the DPhil experience, with students encouraged to participate in engagement activities aimed at improving science communication skills. The team’s commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion ensures a supportive environment.
Primary supervisor
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Molly Stevens
John Black Professor of Bionanoscience
