Novel topical formulations for the treatment of diseases and infections of the skin

Project description

Queensland has the highest rate of melanocytic and non-melanocytic skin cancer (NMSC) globally. Statistics by QRC indicate that melanoma is the most common cancer in young Queenslanders aged under 35, with a rate in young women > 20% higher than in men. However, Melanoma at an early stage can generally be treated successfully with surgery. After surgical resection, wounds heal rapidly, but complications (such microbial infections) that could happen can devastate individuals, families, and communities due to the physical, psychological and social impacts resulting from injured skin and visible scars.

Therefore, there is a need for other than surgical treatment with a similar, or even better effect. Similarly, India has been dealing with another skin disease, psoriasis, which significantly impairs the quality of life of patients and their families resulting in great physical, emotional and social burden. People recovering from melanoma surgical resection, or with severe psoriasis, are also at higher risk to get a microbial skin infection. Therefore, new topical treatments are needed with antimicrobial agents to help in healthy wound healing after recovery from surgery, and also to avoid additional complication in psoriasis. Natural poly-phenols extracts are known to possess antimicrobial properties, and are potential candidates for curing psoriasis. Additionally, silver in various forms is also known for its antimicrobial activity and in combination with natural compounds can synergistically improve bio-potency.

Further, the potential of algal extracts for additional benefits like UV-protect activity can also be explored. Dr Moyle at UQ School of Pharmacy has experience with the formulation and assessment of novel antimicrobial compounds. Prof. Pant at IIT Delhi and his associates have rich experience in the extraction of natural products as well as the synthesis of silver complexes using green chemistry. Dr. Ziora at UQ has agreements with Fruit Producers where left-over seeds and/or extracts will be used as natural reductive reagents for silver nanoparticles synthesis, and also to make natural antimicrobial agents. Prof. Malik’s lab at IIT Delhi works extensively in extracting bioactive compounds from plants/algal biomass and testing of antimicrobial properties. Recently, controlled green synthesis of silver nanoparticles with excellent antimicrobial properties has been investigated in her lab followed by in-situ synthesis of the same on cotton fabric for imparting antimicrobial, UV protect functionality with substantial washing fastness.

Outcomes

The overall outcome would be a natural product derived metal complex for the treatment of antimicrobial infections, skin cancer, and psoriasis. Nevertheless, there would be several direct and indirect deliverables/outcomes of the proposed project. Some of the major outcomes are as follows:

1.  An optimized process and a standard protocol for natural products (polyphenols) extraction from the biomass.
2. Recipe for the synthesis of the metal complex (especially Silver) with natural products such as polyphenols.
3.  A natural product derived metal complex for pharmaceuticals applications.
4.  Solution and treatment for post-cancer treatment antimicrobial infections, psoriasis, and skin cancer.
5. Techno-economic feasibility study of the developed process.
6. Roadmap for utilization of other biomass sources such as wheat crops residues, maze residues, for pharmaceutical applications.

Essential capabilities

Experience with basic laboratory techniques (e.g. pipetting).

Desireable capabilities

Experience with analytical equipment (e.g. chromatography, MS).

Expected qualifications (Course/Degrees etc.)

MSc, Honours, BSci(Hons), BBiotech(Hons), BPharm(Hons).

Candidate Discipline

Biochemistry, Microbiology, Analytical Chemistry, Formulation Science.