About us
Our research addresses the interation of nanoparticles with the central nervous system.
Nanoparticles for drug delivery
Nanoparticles are currently being exploited in many disciplines including nanomedicine. Nanoparticles create the possibility to trap delicate or potentially damaging therapeutic agents within nano-sized carriers, which can be targeted to home-in on a chosen cell population. This creates the potential for the delivery of agents to the site of choice, while minimizing side effects. Our research interests in this area are focussed on developing nanoparticles targeted to the central nervous system for drug delivery.
The interaction of the nervous system with nanoparticles
Our second research area investigates the potential consequences of exposure to environmental nanoparticles to our nervous systems. On a day-to-day basis we are exposed to nanoparticles released as unintentional by-products from a range of industrial processes. These so-called anthropogenic particles, which include diesel particulates, are now recognised to be potentially harmful to human and animal health. The outcome of this exposure to our nervous systems in terms of neuronal function is not yet known. One of our research themes is to study of the impact of exposure to diesel particulates on the progression of disease in the central nervous system.