Nanotechnologies for entrapment inside or outside the central nervous system

The blood brain barrier (BBB) is a sophisticated biological barrier that ensures a tight regulation of the exchanges between the brain and the peripheral tissues. On the one hand the BBB is extremely efficient at preventing exposure of the brain to potentially harmful substances. On the other hand it ensures that nutrients essential for physiological functions can reach the brain. Permeability of substances across the BBB is regulated by many factors including size and lypophilicity (solubility in lipids). In general terms, small lypophilic molecules permeate better than large hydrophilic ones. Furthermore, some molecules can permeate the BBB via alternative mechanisms including being transported across by carriers, specific channels or by energy dependent mechanisms. Conversely, other compounds are not able to cross as immediately pumped out by certain specialised proteins. Drugs able to cross the BBB distribute widely across the body and exert their action both at the brain level as well as on the peripheral tissues. This can be a disadvantage as often only peripheral (or only central) effects are needed for the therapeutic action. In this project we suggest the use of nanotechnologies to restrict a drug action to the administration site. This technology has wide applicability and excellent potential for medical applications.

Beneficiaries: Who and How. The proposal develops a general technology to prevent permeability across the blood brain barrier. In the short term, other academic researchers working on polymer-drug conjugates will benefit from the findings (see Academic Beneficiaries). This strategy has clear medical applications, therefore, pharmaceutical companies are possible beneficiaries of this research. In the longer term, this study has the potential of resulting into improved medicines and, as such, it is of interest to the general public (ultimate consumer) and to the government (alternative treatments, possible savings, improved quality of life). Also, if successful, this technology can improve the UK competitiveness, both in terms of knowledge transfer and in terms of financial rewards (potential translation into blockbuster drugs). Implementation FG will liaise with the technology transfer office at the University of Reading to assess the possibility of protecting project IP via a patent file. Then, the findings from the project will be published in peer-reviewed journals to allow other researchers to access data and develop this technology further. In the longer term, the proposal has the ambition to impact on healthcare and to improve the quality of life. FG recognises the importance of engaging with the general public, and she will undertake public engagement activities, such as the Reading Public Lecture Series. FG will put considerable efforts in driving this research forward. To do so, she is aware of the importance of appropriate collaborations. In this proposal, FG has brought together different collaborators with a range of complementary expertise. In the longer term, she aims to strengthen these collaborations further by securing joint funding. FG is also keen on exploring new collaborations, in particular with partners from industry.