Development of a vaginal drug delivery device for treatment of bacterial vaginosis and its evaluation in a vaginal epithelium model
Supervisors:
Karl Malcolm, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast
Natividad Gomez-Roman, Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde
Linda Oyama, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast
Summary:
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common dysbiosis of the human vaginal microbiota in which the normally dominant Lactobacillus species are replaced by various facultative anaerobic bacteria. Metronidazole (MET) administered orally or vaginally is first-line therapy for BV. However, current treatments are often ineffective due to poor user adherence and high incidence of recurrent infections. A more holistic approach is required for more effective treatment of BV.
This project aims to develop a vaginal ring device (similar to products currently marketed for estrogen replacement therapy, hormonal contraception and HIV prevention) offering simultaneous sustained release of MET, one or more strains of Lactobacillus, lactoferrin and lactide. The efficacy of the vaginal ring designs will be evaluated using in vitro vaginal epithelium 3D models and ex vivo rodent vaginal epithelium models. This is an in vitro, laboratory-based project. However, with further funding, we plan to advance the concept to animal and clinical testing.
The successful applicant will benefit from a highly multidisciplinary supervisory team, with extensive expertise across many aspects of this unique area of collaborative research. The student will receive training in established research teams and develop key skills in many aspects of drug product development and testing and microbiology