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Research Interests

Overall Research Theme: Degradable Polymers

We have a strong interest in creating polymers that can undergo controlled degradation. Commonly, polyamides and polyesters are produced by ring-opening polymerisation to ensure excellent control of polymer architecture. We are enthusiastic to create new degradable polymers by increasingly efficient methods, and apply the polymers to applications including controlled release, degradable packaging, and wound detection/healing applications.

Controlled Drug Delivery

The controlled release of guest molecules, for instance drug molecule, from a polymeric carrier is a key research interest. Polymer carriers may reduce premature drug metabolism, increase drug bioavailability, and reduce drug interaction with non-target cells, and so are an important medicinal tool. Our research has demonstrated the production of degradable nanoparticles and hydrogels that are capable of releasing entrapped drug molecules in a highly controlled manner.

Selected Research Outputs

A therapeutic initiator may be used to create amphiphilic block copolymers that self-assemble to form particles that encapsulate a drug molecule. The drug is then released by enzymatic hydrolysis of the polymer and particle disassembly: https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2015/cc/c4cc08387c/unauth#!divAbstract

We have demonstrated that the cell-targeting group fucose can induce the self-assembly of a thermoresponsive polymer, yielding nanoparticles. Temperature may be used to release doxorubicin from the nanoparticles: https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2020/MA/D0MA00280A#!divAbstract

Biopolymers

Natural polymers ('biopolymers') are potentially extremely useful for a wide range of applications, from engineering to healthcare technologies. Challenges with polymer processing and reproducibility must be overcome, but biopolymers may offer biorenewable and biodegradable advanced materials for a range of applications from automotive engineering to healthcare technologies.

Our research has focussed on biopolymers including hyaluronic acid, cellulose, and chitosan, and we have demonstrated that such biopolymers may be readily adapted for potential use in wastewater purification, diagnostics, biomineralisation, and therapeutic delivery.

Selected Research Outputs

Covalently crosslinked hyaluronic acid can form a hydrogel that may be used for glutathione detection. Changes in the hydrogel dimensions are linked to glutathione concentration, which is also associated with non-healing chronic wounds:  https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2019/tb/c9tb01683j/unauth#!divAbstract

Chitosan may be processed so that the polymer forms a hydrogel in aqueous solution. Such hydrogels have great affinity for a number of problematic commercial dyes that are extremely harmful to the marine ecosystem. Dye adsorption by the chitosan hydrogels is a straightforward and cost-effective method of water purification: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/app.44846

Organogels

Graphical abstract: A vegetable oil-based organogel for use in pH-mediated drug delivery

We have a strong interest in creating gels using non-cytotoxic, food-grade, oils. Such materials avoid the use of cytotoxic organic solvents, providing alternative materials to hydrogels. We have shown that non-cytotoxic organogels may be created using safflower oil, olive oil, and peanut oil, amongst others, and used for the controlled release of molecular cargo in response to changes in environmental temperature and/or pH.