Two studies from UM receive awards at national pharmacy conference

Two studies conducted by researchers of the University of Macau (UM) Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, one on psoriasis and the other on antibacterial and antitumor drugs, stood out from 158 selected posters and received two Best Poster Awards at a national pharmacy conference.

The paper on psoriasis was authored by Lin Zibei, a master’s student from Prof Zheng Ying’s research group. The study tracks the delivery routes of nanoparticles of different sizes in imiquimod-induced psoriasis in mice. Psoriasis is a long-lasting autoimmune disease characterised by patches of abnormal skin that are typically red, dry, itchy, and scaly. According to statistics from the World Health Organisation, psoriasis is a common, serious, and relapsable skin disease that poses threats to people’s health worldwide and can happen to people of different ages. Lin’s study provides a rational formulation design for the development of new anti-psoriatic drugs.

The paper on antibacterial and antitumor drugs was authored by Gao Cheng, a PhD student from Prof Wang Ruibing’s research group. The study found through zebrafish and mouse models that the high, non-specific toxicity of paraquat (a toxic chemical that is widely used as a plant killer, primarily for weed and grass control) nanoparticles was effectively shielded through hyaluronic acid lamination, thereby promising multiple potential applications of this otherwise toxic chemical as a user-friendly herbicide, a selective antibacterial agent or an anticancer nanomedicine. Gao’s co-supervisors were Prof Wang and Prof Lee Ming-Yuen.

The event was organised by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association. It is the most prestigious conference in the field of pharmaceutical science. This year’s event attracted nearly 2,000 scholars, experts and management of pharmaceutical companies. 

Source: Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences