Projects per year
Personal profile
Research Focus
Our Biofunctional Nanomaterials group research the design, development and formulation of self-assembling hydrogel platforms for healthcare applications based on the building blocks of life, mainly peptides and peptide-like molecules.
Our peptides have the ability to form hydrogel structures when triggered specific physiological stimuli (e.g. pH, temperature, enzymes). They have huge potential within the fields of drug delivery and biomaterials with the group's focus primarily on the development of sustained release drug delivery systems e.g. long-acting injectables, antimicrobial biomaterials and drug delivery systems with the ability to cross biological barriers (e.g. blood-brain barrier, outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria).
Using peptides provides a unique ability to tailor the peptide sequence to desired functional properties biocompatibility, biodegradability, mechanical strength, drug release and functionality.
Our work is funded (£1.5 M) by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the Medical Research Council (MRC), the Wellcome Trust, the Royal Society, Innovate UK, the Society for Applied Microbiology, the Biochemical Society and Intertrade Ireland alongside successful applications to Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL, Grenoble) and and the UK Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) for neutron scattering beam time.
Our most recent work relates to the development of an injectable in situ forming peptide hydrogel implant for sustained drug delivery. EPSRC, MRC and Wellcome Trust support has allowed this to be developed primarily for use in HIV/AIDs and combined contraception but this system is also showing promise for use in conditions with medication adherence and drug delivery issues (e.g. ocular use, cancer).
Recently our HIV-contraceptive drug delivery research was selected by the EPSRC as a case study within their Developing New Therapies Grand Challenge:
Gel-forming injections target reduction in HIV/AIDS infections
This technology has also been highlighted by the media and news outlets, most recently within The Irish Times and Advanced Science News:
Advanced Science News: A long-lasting drug delivery system to treat HIV
Our group's work also relates to the development of self-assembling peptide-based hydrogel materials for use against infection. Our work on the use of ultrashort self-assembling peptide gels against resistant biofilm forms of hospital superbugs attracted interest from national and international media outlets including BBC, RTE and UTV television and radio, The Belfast Telegraph, The Irish Times, WTOP radio Washington D.C and abc News.
Links:
BBC News: Queen's University Belfast scientists create 'superbug gel'
Dr. Laverty is a member of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists, the European Peptide Society, the Royal Society of Chemistry and is a member of the EPSRC, UKRI Future Leaders Fellowships/UKRI Talent and European Science Foundation Peer Review Colleges.
He is also an Associate Editor for the journal Royal Society Open Science.
Particulars
Garry Laverty graduated with a First Class Honours Masters degree (MPHARM) from the School of Pharmacy at Queen's University Belfast in 2005. After successful completion of his pre-registration training Garry commenced a PhD in Pharmaceutics related to the activity of peptides against the biofilm forms of medical device related pathogens.
In 2010 Garry began employment within the biotechnology industry. He was responsible for the creation and development of innovative veterinary products working closely with the School of Pharmacy at Queen’s University Belfast. Garry has also undertaken a Postgraduate Diploma in Management Practice at University College Dublin. His work with small to medium enterprise allows him to fulfil his role as an Intertrade Ireland FUSION Graduate Ambassador.
Garry maintains his close links to Community Pharmacy and the Pharmaceutical Industry and is an external examiner at Trinity College Dublin.
In October 2012, Garry was appointed to the position of Lecturer in Pharmaceutical Science and Practice at the School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast.
Garry acts as a student Disability Adviser and sits on the Queen's University Belfast Staff Forum as representative for the School of Pharmacy.
Teaching
Master's of Pharmacy Degree (MPHARM):
Level 2: Pharmaceutical Technology (PMY 2006)
Pharmaceutical Statistics
Co-ordinator of Industrial Stakeholder's Workshops
Level 4: Preparation for Practice (PMY 4002): Co-ordinator of Industrial component and Entrepreneurial Workshops
Level 4: Project Module (PMY 4005)
BSc Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biotechnology:
Level 1: Mathematical and Statistical Skills (PMY 1020)
Level 2: Industrial Pharmaceutics (PMY 2020)
Pharmaceutical Formulation (PMY 2025)
Module lead on Pharmaceutical Formulation practical
Level 3: Quality Assurance and Regulatory Aspects of Pharmaceutical Manufacture (PMY3031)
Pharmaceutical Science Research Project (PMY 3022)
Pharmaceutical Innovation (PMY/PMC 3031)
Visting Lecturer China Queen's College (Shenyang, China)
MSc Industrial Pharmaceutics:
Research Methods and Data Management (PMY 8110)
Characterisation Methods for Pharmaceutical Products (PMY 8112): Rheological Testing
Research Project (PMY 8116)
MSc Pharmaceutical Analysis:
Quality Assurance/Control in the Pharmaceutical Industry (PMY 7092)
Chemical, Biochemical and Spectroscopic Analytical Methods (CHM 7003)
School of Pharmacy Project Tutor for the British Council’s Study USA Programme
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Projects
- 4 Finished
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R2413PMY: Novel Peptoid Hydrogels as Long Acting Injectable Drug Delivery Systems
28/06/2017 → 31/12/2019
Project: Research
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R1743PMY: Peptide nanotubes pass the blood brain barrier to deliver dr ugs to the brain
09/03/2017 → 30/03/2019
Project: Research
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Antimicrobial peptide incorporated poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) hydrogels for the prevention of Staphylococcus epidermidis-associated biomaterial infections
Laverty, G., Gorman, S. P. & Gilmore, B. F., Jul 2012, In: Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A. 100, 7, p. 1803-1814Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile43 Citations (Scopus)397 Downloads (Pure) -
Antimicrobial activity of short, synthetic cationic lipopeptides.
McLaughlin, M., Shaw, C., Gorman, S., Gilmore, B. & Laverty, G., Jun 2010, In: Chemical Biology & Drug Design. 75(6), 6, p. 563-569 7 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
87 Citations (Scopus) -
The Potential of Antimicrobial Peptides as Biocides
Laverty, G., Gorman, S. P. & Gilmore, B. F., Oct 2011, In: International journal of molecular sciences. 12, 10, p. 6566-6596 31 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Literature review › peer-review
Open AccessFile118 Citations (Scopus)444 Downloads (Pure) -
Eradication of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilms by Atmospheric Pressure Non-Thermal Plasma
Alkawareek, M. Y., Algwari, Q. T., Laverty, G., Gorman, S. P., Graham, W. G., O'Connell, D. & Gilmore, B. F., 31 Aug 2012, In: PLoS ONE. 7, 8, p. 1-8 8 p., e44289.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile130 Citations (Scopus)327 Downloads (Pure) -
Antimicrobial peptide nanomaterials
Coulter, S. & Laverty, G., 18 Aug 2023, Peptide bionanomaterials: from design to application. Elsawy, M. A. (ed.). Springer, p. 487-526Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (peer-reviewed) › peer-review
Datasets
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Dataset for "Enzyme triggered L-α/D-peptide hydrogels as a long-acting injectable delivery platform for HIV/AIDS"
Coulter, S. (Data Collector), Pentlavalli, S. (Data Collector), Cross, E. (Data Collector), An, Y. (Data Collector), Vora, L. (Contributor), Peng, K. (Contributor), McAulay, K. (Contributor), Schweins, R. (Contributor), Donnelly, R. (Contributor), McCarthy, H. (Contributor) & Laverty, G. (Creator), Queen's University Belfast, 11 Jul 2022
DOI: 10.17034/67d0cd6f-5bed-4148-b986-f43975b0392c
Dataset
Prizes
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Controlled Release Society People's Choice Award
Laverty, Garry (Recipient), 03 Apr 2020
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy
Laverty, Garry (Recipient), 24 Jun 2015
Prize: Election to learned society
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FUSION project exemplar award
Laverty, Garry (Recipient), Nov 2012
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Science and Technology Facilities Council: ISIS beamtime application standard mode. Understanding microscopic properties and drug diffusion kinetics in a long-acting peptide hydrogel drug delivery implant for combined contraception and HIV prevention. RB2310068, doi:10.5286/ISIS.E.RB2310068. Garry Laverty (PI): beam time value £30,000.
Laverty, Garry (Recipient), 2023
Prize: Other distinction
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Science and Technology Facilities Council: ISIS beamtime application standard mode. Understanding water diffusion and release kinetics in long-acting peptide hydrogel drug delivery implants. RB2220032, DOI: https://doi.org/10.5286/ISIS.E.RB2220032. Garry Laverty (PI): beam time value £90,000.
Laverty, Garry (Recipient), 2022
Prize: Other distinction
Activities
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Moonshots for the UK: Transforming Tomorrow Together
Garry Laverty (Advisor)
01 Aug 2023Activity: Consultancy types › Contribution to the work of national or international committees and working groups
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Peptide hydrogels as an injectable multipurpose platform for sustained HIV/AIDS-contraceptive drug delivery
Garry Laverty (Advisor)
24 Jul 2023 → 28 Jul 2023Activity: Talk or presentation types › Invited or keynote talk at national or international conference
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Science & Technology Facilities Council
Garry Laverty (Advisor)
28 Jun 2023 → 30 Jun 2023Activity: Visiting an external institution types › Research and Teaching at External Organisation
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Grant Reviewer: PRISMA Programme
Garry Laverty (Advisor)
20 Jun 2023 → …Activity: Consultancy types › Contribution to the work of national or international committees and working groups
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Advanced Therapeutics (Journal)
Garry Laverty (Peer reviewer)
09 Jun 2023 → …Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work types › Editorial activity
Press/Media
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BBC Good Morning Ulster Radio, BBC Newsline Live Interviews Antibacterial Superbug Gel
19/08/2014
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Public Engagement Activities
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Hospital Superbug Gel: American Television Networks News Coverage 2014: abc News Ivanhoe News, WNDU, KFDX, WMFZ
21/10/2014
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Public Engagement Activities
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C&EN BrandLab Interview: Picking the right CDMO partner for integrated and accelerated peptide therapeutic development
01/12/2021
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert Comment
Impact
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Research Webinar for School of Pharmacy Social Media Channels e.g. YouTube
Garry Laverty (Participant)
Impact: Societial Impact