Research
Host-directed therapy, pulmonary delivery, immune-cell biology, and formulation science. The programmes are the spine of the Infectious Disease Nanomedicine Research Group.
01 — Immunotherapy
Development of nanoparticle-based immunotherapies for drug-sensitive and drug-resistant forms of tuberculosis. Particles functionalized with β-glucan (curdlan) can trigger autophagy in infected macrophages and reduce bacterial burden in the lung — without relying on antibiotics alone.
02 — Pulmonary delivery
Development of inhalable particles for treatment of tuberculosis. Local delivery to the lung concentrates therapy where infection sits, and may reduce systemic toxicity of current regimens. Work in the group includes dry-powder systems and the clinical translation of inhalable nanomedicines.
03 — Host biology
Studies of the interaction of nanoparticles and immune cells in the context of infectious diseases — how size, shape, and surface chemistry change cytokine profiles, autophagy, and bacterial survival inside macrophages.
04 — Formulation
Synthesis and evaluation of nanoparticles for infectious-disease drug delivery: PLGA and PCL systems, lipid–polymer hybrids, metal–organic frameworks, and dual “kick and punch” formulations that combine immune activation with an antibiotic payload. The translational brief includes dosage forms, not only particles.