Drug Delivery Systems

Research aims

To improve the therapeutic effectiveness of bioactives through the development of fit-for-purpose formulations and novel delivery systems.

Research topics

  • Using drug delivery science to overcome hurdles in the drug discovery pipeline, including poor solubility, poor stability, poor bioavailability, non-specificity and rapid metabolism.
  • Targeting chemotherapeutics direct to tumours and cancer cells using nano-sized carriers to increase effect and reduce side effects.
  • Designing stimulus responsive delivery systems to release doses of medicines where and when required.
  • Using cutting-edge delivery technologies to deliver drugs across the gastrointestinal barrier, blood brain barrier and skin barrier (eg using microneedle and 3D printing model).
  • Developing injectable and implantable delivery systems which can release medicines over days to months and localise treatment to desired sites in the body.
  • Coupling delivery systems with microelectrode arrays to function at the body: machine interface
  • Improving safety and quality use of extemporaneously compounded medicines particularly for children.

     

    Find out more about our Drug Delivery Systems research – click here

     

    Find out more about our researchers 

    Mahsa Moteshakeri

    Mahsa Moteshakeri

    Dr Mahsa Motshakeri joined the School of Pharmacy as a postdoctoral research fellow in April 2021....

    Brad Raos

    Brad Raos

    I completed my PhD in Engineering at the University of Auckland in 2018 with my thesis titled...

    Manisha Sharma

    Manisha Sharma

    Manisha's expertise aligns with the UoA research strategy, addressing the challenge of health and...

    Jingyuan Wen

    Jingyuan Wen

    Associate Professor Wen has over 25 years of research experience in pharmacology, nutraceuticals,...

    Zimei Wu

    Zimei Wu

    Professor Zimei Wu attained her MSc from China Pharmaceutical University and PhD from Otago...

    Bruce Harland

    Bruce Harland

    I am a researcher in the School of Pharmacy at the University of Auckland interested in recording...

    Sachin Thakur

    Sachin Thakur

    I am a lecturer in the School of Pharmacy specialising in stimuli-responsive drug delivery...

    Darren Svirskis

    Darren Svirskis

    I’m a New Zealand registered Pharmacist and completed my PhD at the University of Auckland in...