Polymers with Therapeutic Applications

Antimicrobial resistance is a global, urgent threat to human health. Patient-tailored treatment of infections are required with the correct dosage of antibacterial drug to limit the development of resistant strains. Polymer-drug conjugates as controlled drug delivery methods offer advantages over traditional methods including improved efficacy, reduced toxicity, and improved patient compliance and convenience. Poly(anhydride-ester) (PAE) backbones in particular have proven very effective for releasing drugs at a consistent rate. Furthermore different geometries can be adapted for different administration routes, e.g. microspheres for injectable administration. A limitation of these systems however is that the polymerisation processes are not controlled, hindering precise formulation. The Ring Opening Metathesis Polymerisation (ROMP) process is a powerful living polymerisation technique, and this does allow for finely tuned polymer formation. So the chain length can be controlled and homogeneous polymers can be prepared, choosing from a vast range of different molecular architectures. Furthermore ROMP allows for the preparation of copolymers such that ligands capable of cellular recognition can be incorporated alongside the drug to be delivered.

The aim of this project is to develop well-defined ROMP polymers capable of cellular recognition and controlled drug release for the treatment of infections and other conditions. The project will require and develop skills in organic synthesis, polymerisation processes and associated analytical techniques including, GC, NMR, MS, TEM and GPC characterisation.