The following project has been awarded funding by the AMR network:

'Encapsulation of bacteriophages using membrane emulsification for controlled release applications'

The global threat to human health from antimicrobial resistance in infection causing bacteria has led to renewed interest in the potential of phages as therapeutic agents. Pathogenic bacteria causing enteric infections include both Gram-positive bacteria such as  Clostridium difficile and Gram-negative bacteria e.g. Salmonella enterica. Targeted delivery of viable phages to the site of infection is important. The punitive environment of the gastrointestinal tract can potentially render free phages inactive prior to reaching the site of infection. The actual phage load delivered at the site of infection is typically much lower than the ingested dose. The variability of phage load delivery may impact on the outcomes of any phage therapy trials. This may be an important reason for some historic failures in trials aimed at evaluating efficacy of phage therapy. In this project we aim to evaluate the encapsulation and controlled release kinetics of bacteriophages using membrane emulsification which allows scalable manufacture of relatively mono-dispersed emulsion drops. Release kinetics of the encapsulated phage will be studied in different pH solutions a trigger for the controlled release. 

Project Lead: Danish Malik