Doctor of Philosophy [Ph.D] [Pharmacy] From Newcastle University

As a postgraduate research student studying for an MPhil or PhD, you will be based within theÊSchool of PharmacyÊand a research institute in the Faculty of Medical Sciences relevant to your proposed research.Ê

If your research involves clinical components there may be a partnership with the NHS.

The School of Pharmacy'sÊfocus is on multidisciplinary translational research, work that is relevant to real life. We combine world-class laboratory and clinical research facilities with an open environment where scholars, clinicians and researchers benefit from working side-by-side. You will spend your time within research teams led by experts in their field, in a friendly and supportive atmosphere.

We offer MPhil and PhD supervision in the following research areas:

Disease-Selective Medicines

The discovery and development of new small molecule therapeutics with improved disease selectivity and reduced systemic toxicities, through the use of rational drug design and synthesis, lead optimisation, and preclinical evaluation in cellular disease model systems. We are particularly interested in the development of cancer prodrugs with tumour specific activation and reduced systemic toxicity, and novel therapies for improved treatment of infective diseases including Dengue and other haemorrhagic fever viruses and Tuberculosis, amongst others.

Improved Strategies for the Treatment of Chronic Pain

Understanding the molecular mechanisms that generate and maintain the symptoms and processes of chronic pain, and its translation to effective strategies for pain control, including opioid treatment.

Cellular Physiology

Understanding the pathways that allow hormones to control epithelial ion channel activity and physiological action, particularly the control of sodium channel activity in the distal nephron and consequent hypo/hyper-tension.

Safety Pharmacology and Discovery Toxicology

Development and utilisation of new preclinical tools for identification of therapeutics with potential safety liabilities, particularly novel clinically relevant cell models and systems for detection of effects upon the heart.

Pharmaceutics and Chemical Principles of Dosage Form Design

Pharmaceutical formulations to deliver active molecules to treat disease. We have active research on intermolecular interactions, nanoscale pharmaceutics and nanotherapeutics, including dosage form design from intermolecular interactions, and delivery of biopharmaceuticals. In particular research is focused on:

• determining strategies for improving drug solubility and altering materials properties to enable effective drug delivery and the production of enhanced medicines.
• supramolecular Pharmaceutics, particularly inter/intramolecular interactions and kinetics leading to, during and after self-assembly of small organic molecules.
• fundamental and translational nanomedicines
• understanding and improving drug delivery via the subcutaneous, inhaled and intravitreal routes of delivery

Pharmaceutical Public Health

The role of community pharmacy as a central fulcrum to address health inequalities and behaviour change in relation to smoking, alcohol and substance misuse, sexual health and obesogenic behaviours, amongst others. As the community pharmacy is the most frequent point of contact for patients and public within the wider primary healthcare team, we evaluate the dynamics and interactions of this relationship and the potential role for pharmacy within the early diagnosis of disease and improvements in public health.

Rational Medicines Use

The safe and efficient use of medicines in primary and secondary care is central to the role of every pharmacist. However, medicines are becoming increasingly complex and patients are being given more preventative medicine focused at improving their health, which poses clear risks and significant potential for complications. Rationalisation of medicine usage crosses care boundaries, applies both within primary and secondary care, and furthermore at the care interface. We investigate prescribing habits and the mechanisms to support patients who may take complex medicines for a significant portion of their life

Patient Safety and Health Information Technology

Medication errors can result in patient injury or death, and are preventable. These errors can occur at the stages of ordering, transcription, dispensing and administration. We conduct studies around key technological advances targeted towards intercepting these errors and improving patient safety. Our research focuses on evaluation of specific health information technology prevention strategies throughout the medication use process, with a particular emphasis on health information technology, including its broader implications for medical care and policy. We also explore the different types and causes of errors that occur during the prescribing process when using electronic systems, providing national and international recommendations for their improvement.