The project aims to improve diagnosis, treatment, and even prevention of disease.
£10m EPSRC Funding for Nanomedicine Innovation
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) has awarded £10 million to a consortium led by King’s College London, with Leeds and Queen Mary University of London as core partners. Around £2 million will directly support Leeds research over the next five years.
What is Nanomedicine?
Nanomedicine uses tiny materials to deliver drugs, perform imaging, or guide surgery. It underpins major innovations such as the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, as well as cancer therapies like Vyxeos. However, researchers still need to better understand how nanoparticles behave inside the human body.
Harnessing Advanced Imaging for Discovery
The programme will use total-body positron emission tomography (TB-PET), a highly sensitive imaging method that tracks nanomaterials throughout the human body. This allows researchers to see precisely where treatments travel, how long they stay, and whether they reach their intended targets.
Leeds’ Contribution to Nanomedicine Research
- Synthesis and Manufacturing: Professor Tom Chamberlain’s team at Leeds will lead the creation of radio-labelled nanoparticles and molecules using scalable continuous flow reactors.
- Microscopy and Analysis: Dr Nicole Hondow will leverage advanced electron microscopy facilities to ensure the nanoparticles are safe, consistent, and effective.
Four Key Applications of Nanomedicine
The project will explore:
- Image-guided diagnosis and targeted drug delivery.
- Radionuclide therapy for cancer precision treatment.
- Image-guided surgery for greater accuracy.
- Combination therapies pairing nanotechnology with immunotherapy.
Transforming Healthcare Through Nanomedicine Research
Dr Rafael TM de Rosales of King’s College London said: “With this funding, and the multidisciplinary team of researchers it supports, we will understand at an unprecedented level how healthcare nanomaterials behave inside the human body. This will transform how clinicians and pharmaceutical companies select the most effective nanotechnologies for future treatments.”
