University of Sheffield Receives £1M Grant to Develop Smart Gel Drug Delivery System for Glioblastoma
Key Insights
University of Sheffield scientists have been awarded £1 million by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (search) to develop a novel drug delivery system combining Cold Atmospheric Plasma with molecularly imprinted polymers for targeted cancer treatment.
The three-year project aims to create "smart" hydrogels that can deliver chemotherapy (search) directly to post-surgical sites in glioblastoma (search) patients, as well as treat severe inflammatory skin diseases (search) and fungal infections.
The innovative approach uses molecular imprinting to grow hydrogels around drug molecules, creating custom-fitted cavities that can hold complex drugs previously impossible to use in such systems.
University of Sheffield researchers have secured £1 million in funding to develop a revolutionary drug delivery system that could transform treatment for patients with glioblastoma (search), a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer (search). The three-year project, funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (search) (EPSRC (search)), will combine Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP) technology with advanced molecular imprinting to create precision treatments for brain cancer, autoimmune diseases, and invasive fungal infections (search).
Novel Approach to Drug Delivery
The research team, led by Professor Rob Short FTSE and Professor Nick Turner, is addressing a critical challenge in cancer treatment: how to deliver chemotherapy (search) directly to post-surgical sites while maintaining precise control over dosage and timing. Their solution involves a fundamental shift from traditional drug delivery methods.
Professor Short's group previously developed drug-delivery hydrogels that functioned like sponges, absorbing specific water-based drug molecules. However, this approach significantly limited the range of drugs that could be effectively used in such systems.
The new methodology employs Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs), which represent a paradigm shift in drug delivery design. Instead of forcing drugs into pre-existing hydrogels, the team will use molecular imprinting to "grow" the hydrogel around the drug molecule itself, creating what they term "smart" plasters.
AI-Driven Precision Medicine
The researchers are utilizing AI-driven modeling to simulate molecular interactions, enabling them to create custom-fitted molecular cavities. This "growing the sponge around the water" approach allows the system to trap and hold complex drugs that were previously impossible to incorporate into such delivery systems.
The technique significantly expands treatment options, including the development of implantable pellets. For glioblastoma (search) patients, these pellets could be implanted directly at the tumor site and activated using an endoscopic CAP device. The plasma generates a controlled "cocktail" of reactive particles and electric fields that functions as a molecular switch, providing on-demand, controlled dosage delivery.
Clinical Applications and Benefits
The technology offers multiple therapeutic applications beyond brain cancer (search) treatment. For patients with severe inflammatory skin diseases (search), clinicians could use a handheld CAP device, similar to an EpiPen, to trigger medication release from specialized plasters. The system also shows promise for preventing dangerous post-surgical fungal infections in vulnerable patients.
The dual-action mechanism provides additional therapeutic benefits by oxygenating tissue and accelerating healing processes. This combination of targeted drug delivery and tissue enhancement could significantly improve patient outcomes across multiple medical conditions.
Research Collaboration and Clinical Translation
Professor Rob Short emphasized the transformative potential of the technology, stating: "Cold atmospheric plasma has the potential to transform the treatment of disease in the way that lasers already have. However unlike lasers, CAP will realise its potential in combination therapies with drugs. Our MIP technology brings CAP and drugs together."
The project brings together a multidisciplinary team of experts from the Faculty of Health, including Professors Helen Colley and Craig Murdoch, along with Dr. Greg Wells, and Professor Chris Toseland from the School of Biosciences. This collaborative approach ensures that the materials are designed with clinical trials in mind, bridging the critical gap between fundamental laboratory science and real-world medical applications.
The research is supported by the UKRI (search) mission to power an innovation-led economy, positioning the project to advance from laboratory development to clinical implementation. The team's focus on designing materials specifically for clinical trials represents a strategic approach to accelerating the translation of this technology into patient care.