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James Birchall

Professor James Birchall

Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Deputy Head of School

School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

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Media commentator
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Available for postgraduate supervision

Overview

Qualifications

  • PhD: Welsh School of Pharmacy, Cardiff University (1998)
  • MRPharmS: Professional registration (1994)
  • Degree in Pharmacy (BPharm): First Class Honours, University of Bath (1993)

Publication

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2002

2001

2000

Articles

Book sections

Conferences

Research

Research interests

Improving the transfer of therapeutic macromolecules into the skin through the use of microcapsules

Skin epidermis is an appropriate target for transferring drugs that are of low molecular weight, vaccines, biopharmaceuticals and gene-based therapies, into the body. However, the skin is characterized by poor permeability. Microform microneedle arrays are designed to pierce a skin barrier layer – the cortium stratum, in a less intrusive and painless manner, in order to provide temporary pathways for the transfer of macromolecules to the epidermis.

Transmission through the skin or lungs

Although nonviral gene vectors are capable of in vitro and in vivo gene transfer following nebulization, the efficiency of these conventional nebulization systems in terms of the transfer, is significantly reduced due to the limitations of the device and the physiochemical characteristics of the particles in high concentrations when in the nebulization reservoir. While new nebulization technologies are being developed, it is possible that pressure-measured dose inhalers (pMDIs) and dry powder inhalers (DPIs) could offer other more viable options, for transferring therapeutically active macromolecules, into the body, especially genes, into the lungs.

Collaborators

Local

  • Dr Alexander Anstey (Gwent Healthcare NHS Trust)
  • Dr Chris Gateley (Gwent Healthcare NHS Trust)

International

  • Dr Mark Prausnitz (Georgia Institute of Technology), Founding Member of the European Research Network into Skin Barrier Layer Issues.

Main expertise

  • Cultivating human skin, ex vivo
  • Electron Microscopy and Microscopy by light
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Pharmaceutical formulation
  • Cell transformation and gene expression analysis

Research funding

Over £10 million in external grant funding, from a wide range of sources including Research Councils (BBSRC and EPSRC postgraduate and postdoctoral funding), the pharmaceutical industry, government bodies and charities.

Teaching

  • PH1121 Molecule for the patient
  • PH1122  The role of the pharmacist in professional practice
  • PH1123 Structure and function of cells and microbes
  • PH2113 Diseases and drugs I
  • PH3110 Optimizing Pharmaceutical Care
  • PH3113 Diseases and drugs II
  • PH3114 Design, formulate and quality assurance of medicinal products
  • PH4116  Scholarship or research project in pharmacy
  • PH4117  Pharmaceutical sciences, pharmaceutical practice and population
  • PH4118 Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Practice and the Patient

Biography

Career profile

  • August 2014 – Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
  • July 2013 – Chair of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University.
  • August 2010 – June 2013 Reader in Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University.
  • August 2007 – July 2010 Senior Lecturer in Drug Delivery, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University.
  • February 2001 – July 2007 Lecturer in Drug Delivery, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University.
  • March 2006 – Now Honorary Senior Lecturer and Research Chemist, Gwent Healthcare NHS Trust.
  • July 2005 – August 2005 Visiting Researcher, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia.
  • February 2000 – February 2001 Teaching Fellow, Welsh School of Pharmacy, Cardiff University.
  • March 1998 – February 2000 Research Associate, Drug Delivery Research Group, Welsh School of Pharmacy, Cardiff University.
  • August 1994 – Current Locum Pharmacist, Various locations.
  • August 1993 – July 1994 Pre-Registration Pharmacist, Abbott Laboratories Ltd., Kent; St. George's Hospital, London.

Committees and review

Research and Engagement Committee.

Committees and reviewing

Research and Engagement Committee