POSITION AVAILABLE

The School of Materials Science and Engineering, NTU (http://www.mse.ntu.edu.sg/) is recruiting

Position: PhD thesis, NTU scholarship

Title: Nanoparticles and biomaterials encapsulated drugs for treatment of brain

inflammatory diseases

The blood brain barrier (BBB) is a major hurdle in the effective therapeutic treatment of CNS
diseases; it restricts penetration of over 98% of small molecule drugs. Drug encapsulation into
carrier systems can help to overcome this hurdle by improving the therapeutic index of drugs.
However, conventional carrier systems have limited success in non-invasively treating CNS
diseases. Lately, exosomes have been acknowledged as potential carrier systems and proved to
be therapeutically effective in treating brain tumors and Parkinson in rodents. Yet, production yield
of exosomes is very limited. In order to preserve the beneficial properties of exosomes but create
a more feasible workflow, we developed cell derived nanovesicles (CDN) who have similar protein-
lipid composition to exosomes and contain their key protein markers.
The objective is to validate BBB penetration of these CDNs and others specific nanocarriers,
achieve encapsulating efficiency, and demonstrate their potential as carriers in the case of CNS
diseases such as stroke or Parkinson’s disease by targeting and accumulating these nanoparticles
in the inflamed area.
This project will be focused on the design and development of nanomedicines to treat inflammatory
diseases, with large emphasis on translational in vivo pre-clinical studies. The main objective is to
design and develop nanoparticles with high efficacy and safety for pre-clinical studies. The goal is
to choose nanomaterials in relation with the drug and the disease. Promising nano-formulations
will be evaluated in pilot clinical feasibility trials.

We are seeking a motivated candidates with background in biology and/or Materials Science, or a
related field. Candidates with experience in any of these fields, nanoparticles formulation and
characterisation, nanomedicine, in vivo experiment, imaging, histology, immunostaining,… are
strongly encouraged to apply.

We are a young group focused on the development of nanomedicines, with large emphasis on
translational in vivo pre-clinical studies. In collaborations with clinicians from different hospitals or
institutes in Singapore, the research is highly translational, and is broadly applicable to many
pathological conditions. The goal is to choose nanomaterials in relation to the drug and the disease
to design and develop nanomedicines with high efficacy and safety for pre-clinical studies.
Salary will be attractive, and commensurate with experience.

Qualified applicants are invited to send their application to the email below. Please submit your
detailed resume, sample research publications, names and contacts (including email addresses)
of referees and a cover letter explaining why you are suitable for this position.

Contact:
Email: bczarny@ntu.edu.sg
Assistant Professor Bertrand Czarny
School of Material Science and Engineering (MSE)
Nanyang Technological University (NTU)
Singapore 639798
We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.