Email: soheil.mehrdadi@postgrad.otago.ac.nz
College:
- University of Portsmouth (UK) (2019) Research placement in Drug Delivery Lab on “Amphiphilic peptide-based nanomedicines for Glioblastoma Multiforme brain tumor drug delivery”
- University of Padova (Italy) (2017-2020 Master’s Degree in Pharmaceutical Biotechnologies)
- Azad University of Karaj (Iran) (2007-2014 Doctor of Veterinary Medicine/D.V.M)
Thesis title: Oral formulation & delivery of novel contraceptive peptides to the common brushtail possum in New Zealand
Co-supervisors: Prof. Greg Anderson (Department of Anatomy, University of Otago), Prof. Thomas Rades (Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen)
Project description:
The common brushtail possum has been classified a “pest” wildlife species in New Zealand with an estimated population of 30 million. Pharmaceutical formulation of bioactive fertility agents such as GnRH neuropeptide analogs are promising new strategies to control this pest.
Polymeric nanoparticles, a drug delivery system, can effectively encapsulate macromolecules and protect them from enzymatic and chemical degradation in vivo to efficiently deliver them to the target site to subsequently elicit the desired biological response.
The aim of this PhD research project is to develop a formulation that enables successful oral delivery of novel contraceptive peptides to reduce fertility in the common brushtail possum. The main areas to be investigated will be the following:
- Synthesis and characterization of polymeric nanoparticulate delivery systems for the effective delivery of contraceptive peptides to the brushtail possum;
- Absorption studies of the contraceptive-encapsulated nanoparticles following in vivo administration;
- The incorporation of contraceptive-encapsulated nanoparticles into oral baits for sufficient environmental stability.