Clare Hoskins is a Professor of Nanomedicine within Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry at the University of Strathclyde. Her expertise is in nanotechnology development for drug delivery and theranostic applications, with a specific focus on pancreatic cancer. Clare is currently the Elected Chair of the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Chemical Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Interest Group, as well as being a Committee Member of the UK & Ireland Chapter of the Controlled Release Society. She was the recipient of the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences ‘Emerging Scientist’ award, and the North Staffordshire Medical Institute Researcher Award. Her research has been supported nationally and internationally by various government, charity, and industrial funding. Clare leads an interdisciplinary research group currently comprised of 1 Postdoctoral Researcher, 4 PhD students, 1 MPhil student, 3 MChem students, and 1 Industrial Placement student.
With a special focus on pancreatic cancer, the group are developing a wide range of nanomedicine and theranostic platforms, ranging from metallic to polymeric to solid lipid nanoparticles and biologically-produced nanoparticulates. The expertise within the group spans the whole way from organic synthesis to formulation development and preclinical testing. Aside from pancreatic cancer research, the group also work on other clinical applications of nanotechnology including bioavailability enhancement, colonic targeting, wound healing, and paediatric formulations. The lab is also keen to translate the knowledge gained from medical technologies across to other sectors and currently have field trials of their controlled release polymeric formulations underway for crop protection purposes.
Central to many of the technologies being developed are metallic iron oxide-gold or iron oxide-silver hybrid nanoparticles. These particles not only can be used in early detection of disease states when functionalised with relevant antibodies, but also can be used as therapeutics when surface decorated with drug or immunotherapies. The lab specialises in developing smart linker chemistries which can be used to anchor these therapeutics onto the nanoparticle surface allowing for precision, triggered release, ensuring delivery of compounds to their site of need and reducing off target effects.
Aside from her passion for nanotechnology, Professor Hoskins is a keen advocate for equity, diversity & inclusivity, and these beliefs are shared with every group member that joins the lab. The Hoskins lab has a work hard, play hard attitude, with the ethos of ‘why do something if it isn’t fun’. They frequently brighten up the Technology & Innovation Centre where they are based in Strathclyde, with their fancy dress, celebratory décor, and bright demeanour, and they are never too far from a party. They are always delighted to hear from other scientists looking to join the lab or collaborate on exciting new projects which can push scientific boundaries and benefit patients’ health.
Relevant references:
- A. Oluwasanmi, S. Lindsay, A. Curtis, Y. Perrie and C. Hoskins, International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2023, 644, 123304. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.123304
- A. Oluwasanmi, E. Man, A. Curtis, H. H. P. Yiu, Y. Perrie and C. Hoskins, Journal, 2021, 11. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11112976
- E. Man, C. Easdon, I. McLellan, H. H. P. Yiu and C. Hoskins, Journal, 2023, 15. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15020483
- A. Oluwasanmi and C. Hoskins, Int J Pharm, 2021, 604, 120727. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2021.120727
- J. Al Ameri, A. Alsuraifi, A. Curtis and C. Hoskins, Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2020, 109, 3125-3133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xphs.2020.06.018
- E. Man, D. Lamprou, C. Easdon, I. McLellan, H. H. P. Yiu and C. Hoskins, Journal, 2022, 14. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14235192
