Anan Yaghmur
Lektor
E-mail: aya(at)farma.ku.dk
Telefon: 35 33 65 41
Rum 13 – 518

Lymphatic targeting and biodistribution of drug nanocarriers based on cubosomes and hexosomes
The major goal is to investigate the potential applicability of cubosomes and hexosomes as drug delivery systems in relation to drug targeting to the lymphatic system after subcutaneous (s.c.) injection. The nanoparticulate systems enveloping internally self-assembled nanostructures are attractive drug nanocarriers. They are aqueous dispersions of inverted types of bicontinuous cubic and hexagonal liquid crystalline phases that are composed of biodegradable lipids enabling tailored solubilization of drugs with different physicochemical properties. This project will tackle ultimate concerns, namely, how advantageous the utilization of these novel drug delivery systems is as opposed to conventional formulations such as liposomes and emulsions. We believe that the proposed research project will advance knowledge on the physicochemical properties of cubosomes and hexosomes, their interactions with the solubilized model drug molecules, and on the nanostructure-activity relationship.
Supervisor: Anan Yaghmur, Claus Selch Larsen, Susan Weng Larsen & Jesper Østergaard (in cooperation with Arto Urtti, CDR, University of Helsinki).

Self-assembled liquid crystalline nanostructures as sustained release injectable formulations
The use of lipidic non-lamellar liquid crystalline phases as drug delivery systems for intra-articular or subcutaneous administration appear attractive due to the sustained release capability and also the high solubilisation capacity of these systems. These unique systems are compatible, biodegradable and bioadhesive matrices that are able to co-exist under equilibrium conditions with excess water and thus they display nanostructures closely related to those observed in biological membranes. The purpose of this project is to design drug-loaded dispersed and non-dispersed liquid crystalline phases as sustained release injectable formulations. To achieve this goal, physicochemical investigations are combined with in vitro release studies and eventually animal experiments.
Supervisor: Anan Yaghmur, Susan Weng Larsen, Jesper Østergaard, Claus Selch Larsen

Development of in vitro release methods for characterization of drug formulation based on self-assembled liquid crystalline nanostructures
Development of in vitro release models for quality control as well as formulation design purposes is a critical activity in the characterization of parenteral depot formulationss. Injectable drug-loaded systems based on lipids which self-assemble in water to form various well-ordered inverted-type nanostructures (e.g. biocontinuous cubic and hexagonal phases) are considered attrative for enhancing the solubilisation of various drugs, targeting to tissues and controlling drug release. The overall purpose of this project is to establish and evaluate in vitro release methods for these lipid drug nanocarriers. This includes i) studying the drug release characteristics using different in vitro models, ii) investigating drug release properties of various nanostructures, and iii) investigating in vitro release of model drug compounds with different physicochemical properties. 
Supervisor: Susan Weng Larsen, Anan Yaghmur, Jesper Østergaard, Claus Selch Larsen

Osteoarthritis – Improved therapy through drug targeting to the articular cartilage
Osteoarthritis is the most common arthritic disorder characterized by irreversible breakdown of the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the articular cartilage. The latter joint tissue is composed of a complex water-filled polymeric network which might constitute a barrier for drug transport to pharmacological targets located within the ECM, i.e. chondrocytes and enzymes secreted by this cell type. Project objective is to investigate the influence of drug molecular size and physicochemical parameters on transport (diffusion) into the cartilage. Also drug affinity to macromolecular structures comprising the cartilage will be investigated in order to obtain an in depth understanding of basic drug properties that might facilitate transport of anti-arthritic drug candidates into the ECM. The experimental work will encompass development of an artificial joint cartilage model for the study of the ability of model drug compounds to enter into this artificial ECM.
Supervisor: Jesper Østergaard, Claus Selch Larsen, Henrik Jensen, Susan Weng Larsen & Anan Yaghmur.