Research activities are focussed on a greater understanding of the molecular interactions and development of unique genetic therapies that can be applied for the detection and treatment of highly aggressive metastatic disease.

Recent Publications:

• The search for a TNBC vaccine: the guardian vaccine
• Key considerations for a prostate cancer mRNA vaccine
• Development and characterization of a peptide-bisphosphonate nanoparticle for the treatment of breast cancer
• Immunotherapy for HPV negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
• Synthesis and characterisation of a nucleotide based pro-drug formulated with a peptide into a nano-chemotherapy for colorectal cancer
• Hollow microneedle assisted intradermal delivery of hypericin lipid nanocapsules with light enabled photodynamic therapy against skin cancer

Research activities are focussed on the design and synthesis of nanotechnologies as local and systemic delivery systems for DNA, RNAi, miRNA, and Au nanoparticle therapies.

Recent Publications:

• Needle Free Delivery and mRNA Vaccines
• Biodegradable lipid bilayer-assisted indocyanine green J- aggregates for photothermal therapy: formulation, in vitro toxicity and in vivo clearance
• Encapsulation of doxorubicin prodrug in heat-triggered liposomes overcomes off-target activation for advanced prostate cancer therapy
• Functional biomacromolecules-based microneedle patch for the treatment of diabetic wound

Research activities are focussed on the development of novel strategies for the detection, characterisation and inhibition of proteases implicated in chronic diseases including respiratory, cardiovascular, cancer and infection with an emphasis on ion channel modulation, inflammatory microenvironments and immune signalling.

Recent Publications:

• Inhaled dry powder liposomal azithromycin for treatment of chronic lower respiratory tract infection
• BOS-318 treatment enhances elexacaftor–tezacaftor–ivacaftor-mediated improvements in airway hydration and mucociliary transport
• Airborne indoor allergen serine proteases and their contribution to sensitisation and activation of innate immunity in allergic airway disease
• TRPV2 modulates mechanically induced ATP release from human bronchial epithelial cells

Research activities are focussed on the isolation and characterisation of bioactive peptides derived from animal venoms in order to discover novel antimicrobial, anticancer, antidiabetic, antihypertensive and immunostimulating therapeutic agents.

Recent Publications:

• Discovery and optimisation of novel Bombinin-derived peptides from Bombina variegata against Staphylococcus aureus
• Short peptides from Asian scorpions: bioactive molecules with promising therapeutic potential
• H‐NMR‐based metabolomics reveals the preventive effect of Enteromorpha prolifera polysaccharides on diabetes in Zucker diabetic fatty rats
• An effective modification strategy to build multifunctional peptides based on a trypsin inhibitory peptide of the Kunitz family
• Discovery, development and optimisation of a novel frog antimicrobial peptide with combined mode of action against drug-resistant bacteria

At Queen's, researchers are pushing the boundaries of controlled release drug delivery to improve the effectiveness, accessibility and safety of therapeutics worldwide. With a commitment to patient-focused innovation, our scientists are designing smarter, more targeted systems to overcome challenges in pharmaceutical science.

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