Dr Affiong Iyire

Supervisor Details

Contact Details

College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University

Scientific Background

Research Interests

My research interests focus on advancing innovative transmucosal drug delivery strategies to overcome barriers posed by buccal, pulmonary and ocular epithelia. I am especially interested understanding the mechanistic potential of engineered vesicles and bioactive enhancers to improve absorption, bioavailability, and targeted delivery. I also bring expertise in Quality by Design (QbD), applying systematic, data-driven approaches to the design and optimisation of drug delivery systems. My broader aim is to develop safe, effective, and scalable translational platforms that enhance therapeutic outcomes while providing deeper insights into drug transport and controlled release mechanisms.

Research Groups

Pharmaceutical and Clinical Pharmacy Research Group

Supervision Style

In three words or phrases: Systematic, supportive, facilitative

Provision of Training

I prefer to take responsibility for your technical training at first, leading to more independence later.

Progression Monitoring and Management

I like to be kept up to date, and will expect to see evidence of method development/data generation results on a weekly basis.

Communication

I am known to email my team/PhD students at all hours of the day and night, however I will not expect you to do the same.

Meetings

PhD Students can expect scheduled meetings with me at least once per fortnight. These meetings will be a mixture of face-to-face and via video chat or telephone. I am usually contactable for an instant response on every working day.

Work Patterns

Work in my lab requires being present on site (be it in a laboratory or at a field site) during the core hours of 9am - 5pm (or a subset if working part time), with out of hours timings available where needed.

Notice Period for Feedback

I need at least 2 weeks' notice to provide feedback on written work of up to 5,000 words.

MIBTP Project Details

Primary supervisor for:

Harnessing Natural Neuroactive Metabolites for Enhancing Drug Delivery Across Ocular and Neurological Barriers

See the PhD Opportunities section to see if this project is currently open for applications via MIBTP.

Please Note: The main page lists projects via BBSRC Research Theme(s) quoted and then relevant Topic(s).

Harnessing Natural Neuroactive Metabolites for Enhancing Drug Delivery Across Ocular and Neurological Barriers

Secondary Supervisor(s): Dr Raquel Gil-cazorla and Dr Raj Singh Badhan

University of Registration: Aston University

BBSRC Research Themes:

Integrated Understanding of Health (Ageing, Pharmaceuticals, Regenerative Biology)

Project Outline

Poor penetration of therapeutics across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and blood-retinal barrier (BRB) limits progress in treating neurodegenerative and ocular diseases. This project explores a class of under investigated, lipophilic fungal metabolites with dual properties: neuroactivity and strong barrier penetration. Preliminary pharmacokinetic studies show these molecules achieve brain concentrations far exceeding plasma levels and can improve retinal cell survival following optic nerve injury. These findings suggest novel use of such metabolites as permeation enhancers to co-deliver therapeutic agents into immune-privileged tissues.

The student will employ a multidisciplinary integrated approach spanning molecular cell biology, pharmacology, and computational data analysis. Work will include:

1. Screening selected fungal metabolites for cytotoxicity and permeability effects in in vitro BBB and BRB models.

2. Exploring mechanistic pathways via transcriptomics, proteomics, and computational network analysis

3. Assessing barrier modulation using transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), fluorescent tracer transport, and tight junction protein analysis (e.g., ZO-1, claudin-5).

4. Evaluating co-delivery with model small- and large-molecule therapeutics nanotechnology.

The project will provide advanced training in:

Experimental techniques: mammalian cell culture, permeability assays, imaging, TEER, and molecular biology.
Quantitative/data-driven methods: pharmacokinetic modelling, omics data integration, and bioinformatics.
Translational skills: IP awareness, drug formulation concepts, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Transferable skills: scientific writing, communication, project management, and public engagement.

Impact

The project has the potential to create a new drug delivery paradigm using natural metabolites as permeability enhancers, with direct translational relevance to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and ophthalmology sectors.