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Professor Joan Taylor

Job: Professor of Pharmaceutics

Faculty: Health and Life Sciences

School/department: Leicester School of Pharmacy

Address: De Montfort University, The Gateway, Leicester, LE1 9BH.

T: +44 (0)116 250 6317

E: mjt@dmu.ac.uk

W: https://www.dmu.ac.uk/diabetes

 

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Research group affiliations

  • Pharmaceutical Technologies
  • INsmart group

Publications and outputs

  • Synthesis and Identification of Biologically Active Mono-Labelled FITC-Insulin Conjugate
    dc.title: Synthesis and Identification of Biologically Active Mono-Labelled FITC-Insulin Conjugate dc.contributor.author: Sahota, T. S.; Vu, Tam; Taylor, M. Joan; Singh, Harprit; Bottrill, Andrew; Bilmoria, Jay dc.description.abstract: Fluorescently labelling proteins such as insulin have wide ranging applications in a pharmaceutical research and drug delivery. Human insulin (Actrapid®) was labelled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and the synthesised conjugate identified using reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) on a C18 column and a gradient method with mobile phase A containing 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in Millipore water and mobile phase B containing 90% Acetonitrile, 10% Millipore water and 0.1% TFA. Syntheses were carried out at varying reaction times between 4 and 20 h. Mono-labelled FITC-insulin conjugate was successfully synthesised with labelling at the B1 position on the insulin chain using a molar ratio of 2:1 (FITC:insulin) at a reaction time of 18 h and confirmed by electrospray mass spectroscopy. Reactions were studied across a pH range of 7–9.8 and the quantities switch from mono-labelled to di-labelled FITC-insulin conjugates at a reaction time of 2 h (2:1 molar ratio) at pH > 8. The conjugates isolated from the studies had biological activities in comparison to native insulin of 99.5% monoB1, 78% monoA1, 51% diA1B1 and 0.06% triA1B1B29 in HUVEC cells by examining AKT phosphorylation levels. MonoB1 FITC-insulin conjugate was also compared to native insulin by examining cell surface GLUT4 in C2C12 skeletal muscle cells. No significant difference in the cellular response was observed for monoB1 produced in-house compared to native insulin. Therefore mono-labelled FITC-insulin at the B1 position showed similar biological activity as native insulin and can potentially be used for future biomedical applications. dc.description: The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link.
  • The impact of moderate combination exercise on HbA1c, IL-6, and TNF in type 2 diabetic and non-diabetic subjects: an interventional non-randomized clinical trial
    dc.title: The impact of moderate combination exercise on HbA1c, IL-6, and TNF in type 2 diabetic and non-diabetic subjects: an interventional non-randomized clinical trial dc.contributor.author: Sahota, T. S.; Taylor, M. Joan; Alsubaie, Nawal; Alharbi, Bandar dc.description.abstract: Introduction: The main causes of worldwide increase in prevalence of type 2 diabetes are the daily consumption of excessive number of calories and sedentary lifestyle. Diabetes is usually accompanied by hypertension, lipid disorders and obesity that are considered as risk factors for developing diabetes. This study is designed to assess the benefit of a combined exercise programme (cardio “aerobic” and resistance) on HbA1c and the inflammatory markers (IL-6, and TNF) in type 2 diabetic (T2D) and non-diabetic (ND) subjects. Materials and methods: This is an interventional non randomized clinical trial conducted from 2016 to 2019 at exercise physiology laboratory at De Montfort University (DMU). Our target volunteers are T2D (HbA1c > 6.4), and ND (HbA1c < 5.8) with age group from 18-60 years old who are fit and able to do exercise. No restriction on weight. HbA1c, weight, BMI, waist and lung capacity were measured at baseline and at the 12th exercise session. In each exercise session the participant performed a combined exercise program consists of 30 min of resistance exercise followed by 20 min moderate cycling to be done twice a week for 6 weeks. Results: We enrolled 17 T2D intervention group 4 female and 13 male and 8 ND control group 5 female and 3 male. In both groups there was a significant reduction in HbA1c level after 6 weeks (P= 0.000). In T2D there were a significant weight reduction that decreased from (92.0± 4.3) to (90.0±4.5), (P< 0.001), BMI reduction that decreased from (30.8± 1.0) to (30.2± 0.9), (P< 0.001). In ND, the changes in weight reduction and BMI level were not significant. In T2D the changes in IL-6 level were only significant after the last exercise session. It was increased from 1.79±0.4 to 3.88±1.9 pg/ml (P=0.002), while it was not significant in ND group. In T2D and ND subjects, the changes in TNF level were insignificant. Conclusion: Development of combination exercise programs as a non-pharmacological intervention for diabetic and non-diabetic population are essential to decrease the prevalence of diabetes worldwide. In addition to conduction of public awareness events for proper implementation. dc.description: open access article
  • Immunological Biomarkers for Diabetes Management
    dc.title: Immunological Biomarkers for Diabetes Management dc.contributor.author: Furmonaviciene, Ruta; Saiful, Shubo; Gunawardena, T.G.; Hill, Andrew; Chauhan, Krishan; Desai, Unmesh; Sahota, T. S.; Taylor, M. Joan; Alsubaie, Naval dc.description.abstract: Globally there are 422 million known cases of people affected with diabetes according to the world health organisation (1). It is estimated that 46% of people with diabetes worldwide are undiagnosed (2). Monitoring diabetes and improving life style for such patients is also a big challenge for current healthcare. To address this global health issue, we have investigated immunological serum and salivary biomarkers for diabetes using molecular arrays, namely cytokine and growth factor kit I from Randox Laboratories Ltd, London, UK.
  • Matrix gel
    dc.title: Matrix gel dc.contributor.author: Taylor, M. Joan dc.description.abstract: The present invention relates to a gel having a three dimen­sional matrix structure and a drug in the form of a solid contained within the three dimensional matrix. Gels of the invention are preferably for implantation into a patient. Storing the drug as a solid within the gel means that the drug density is high in those areas of the gel which contain solid drug. The high drug density means that a larger amount of drug can be stored in a gel of a given size relative to the amount of drug that can be stored as individual molecules. The large deposit of solid drug means that the gel can sustain release of the drug for an extended period of time. This is advantageous because it minimises the frequency of replace­ment or replenishment of the implanted gel, thereby mini­mising discomfort and inconvenience to the patient. dc.description: This is the grant of a patent filed initially in 2016 and now granted in the US
  • Update on Novel Insulin Technologies
    dc.title: Update on Novel Insulin Technologies dc.contributor.author: Taylor, M. Joan dc.description.abstract: The focus here is on the delivery of insulin by formulations that provide an alternative to subcutaneous injection and that rely mainly on gelatinous carrier materials. This will progress to the ideal of delivering an automated closed loop system, first putting this into context with biological and electronic means, but then discussing the evolution of new insulins. The presentation will then explore the use of gel technologies, with an accept on their compatibility with insulin, protection characteristics and their ability to provide a predictable basal dose. At this point we divert to look at gel structure and metrics, the kind of molecular linkages that can be used to form gels and the several gels designs that are already possible for potential delivery orally, by other mucous surfaces and by devices. The next step is to consider the requirements for design of a gel that could provide on demand boost doses and examine the molecular mechanisms that have been used to date. The talk will finish with an explanation of our own work that involves delivery of insulin to diabetic pigs, using a refillable peritoneal device that holds a glucose-sensitive gateway gel governing output from an insulin reservoir. dc.description: Invited Keynote speaker
  • Novel Insulin Technologies
    dc.title: Novel Insulin Technologies dc.contributor.author: Taylor, M. Joan dc.description.abstract: Update on novel insulin technologies The focus here is on the delivery of insulin by formulations that provide an alternative to subcutaneous injection and that rely mainly on gelatinous carrier materials. This will progress to the ideal of delivering an automated closed loop system, first putting this into context with biological and electronic means, but then discussing the evolution of new insulins. The presentation will then explore the use of gel technologies, with an accept on their compatibility with insulin, protection characteristics and their ability to provide a predictable basal dose. At this point we divert to look at gel structure and metrics, the kind of molecular linkages that can be used to form gels and the several gels designs that are already possible for potential delivery orally, by other mucous surfaces and by devices. The next step is to consider the requirements for design of a gel that could provide on demand boost doses and examine the molecular mechanisms that have been used to date. The talk will finish with an explanation of our own work that involves delivery of insulin to diabetic pigs, using a refillable peritoneal device that holds a glucose-sensitive gateway gel governing output from an insulin reservoir. dc.description: Invited keynote speaker
  • Glucose lowering strategies with insulin
    dc.title: Glucose lowering strategies with insulin dc.contributor.author: Taylor, M. Joan; Sahota, T. S.; Chauhan, Krishan P dc.description.abstract: People with type 1 diabetes must use insulin and a large fraction of those with type 2 condition also do so. Many therefore struggle with the unpredictable balancing of insulin dose with calorie intake and utility. A healthy pancreas makes meticulous adjustment on a continuous basis that present therapeutic insulin administration cannot match. However, much progress has been made to make it simpler to inject both background and fast-acting boost insulins with a view to better mimicking normal pancreatic output. The present fast insulins are reviewed with accent on the primary amino acid structures of the biosynthetic types that diffuse more quickly than regular insulin that associates in hexamers. This makes boost doses kinetically and clinically more effective, allowing people to inject better estimated boost and corrective doses. Formulation advances are discussed for their present and potential contributions. The newer slow-acting insulins are also described and compared, their advantage also being kinetic with a lower likelihood of inducing overnight hypoglycaemia when used optimally. Finally, the appreciation of the advantages of alternative routes of administration such as oral and peritoneal are included in this review because of the possibility of altering the hepatic to peripheral ratio, the reasons for which are more effective but less obesogenic insulin activity. The logistics of oral insulin are summarised in terms of the risks to the insulin structure, the facilitation of paracellular uptake at the apical surface and the paradoxically advantageous hepatic first pass. Other non-invasive routes are also included in the review. dc.description: open access journal
  • Gels for constant and smart delivery of insulin
    dc.title: Gels for constant and smart delivery of insulin dc.contributor.author: Taylor, M. Joan; Chauhan, Krishan P; Sahota, T. S. dc.description.abstract: The focus of this review is the role of gelatinous materials for oral, transdermal and peritoneal insulin platforms as alternatives to the ubiquitous subcutaneous depot approach. Hydrogels that form hydrated, cohesive materials and the topologically complex micellar types can add ligand interaction, bond vulnerability and rheological characteristics to develop reliable programmed release, including closed loop (automated basal and bolus) activity in non-oral routes. In addition, the potential protection of the protein and likely increased paracellular uptake mean that orally active insulin is feasible. While unlikely to be suitable for closed loop delivery, the driver for gut absorption is not only to increase the convenience and decrease dosage trauma, but to target the mesentery-portal vasculature rather than peripheral tissue, thus improving hepatic glycogen equilibrium and reducing the obesogenic effect and hypoglycaemic episodes.
  • Insulin Solution Stability and Biocompatibility with Materials Used for an Implantable Insulin Delivery Device Using Reverse Phase HPLC Methods
    dc.title: Insulin Solution Stability and Biocompatibility with Materials Used for an Implantable Insulin Delivery Device Using Reverse Phase HPLC Methods dc.contributor.author: Jacob, Dolly; Tomlins, Paul; Taylor, M. Joan; Sahota, T. S. dc.description.abstract: Abstract: Insulin (Humulin® R IU500) has been delivered from an implantable artificial pancreas in diabetic rats and pigs. The artificial pancreas which was implanted in the peritoneum was fabricated from several biocompatible materials such as polycarbonate, stainless steel, polyurethane, titanium and a polyurethane resin. The device also contains a glucose responsive smart gel which controls the di usion of insulin dependent on the surrounding glucose environment. As the insulin reservoir is refillable and in contact with the device materials, assessing its biocompatibility with these various device component materials was conducted. Insulin can undergo chemical degradation mainly via a deamidation reaction on glutamine and asparagine residues rendering its biological hormone functionality. Two Reverse Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography (RP-HPLC) methods were developed and validated for detection of insulin and degradant Asn A21 desamido insulin (method A) and insulin and degradant Asn B3 desamido insulin (method B). Material biocompatibility studies show that stainless steel and titanium are suitable for an implantable insulin delivery device design over a 31-day period. The use of polycarbonate and polyurethane could be considered if the insulin reservoir in the device was only to remain in the device for less than 11 days after which time there is a loss in cresol which acts in a protective capacity for insulin stability. dc.description: open access article
  • The effects of a combined aerobic and resistance exercise programme on insulin resistance among prediabetes subjects
    dc.title: The effects of a combined aerobic and resistance exercise programme on insulin resistance among prediabetes subjects dc.contributor.author: Alharbi, Bander; Alsubaie, Nawal; Sahota, T. S.; Taylor, M. Joan dc.description.abstract: Aim: Insulin resistance is a common health disorder that contributes to developed overt diabetes among prediabetes subjects. The aim of the study is to examine the effects of a combined programme of aerobic and resistance exercise on insulin resistance among prediabetes subjects (Pre-D) using Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) as a tool to define the improvement in insulin resistance. Method: 20 prediabetes subjects were asked to join a supervised combined exercise program consists of 30 min of resistance exercise followed by 20 min cycling twice at moderate-intensity a week for 6 weeks. Result: a significant improvement in Blood Glucose (BG) after combination exercise at two occasions when compared to BG before exercise (Pre S1), after 1st exercise session (Post S1) and at the end of intervention trial (Post S12). Conclusion: The result of this study has shown that 6 weeks of moderate-intensity exercise combined with aerobic and resistance exercise program had significantly ameliorated insulin resistance among Pre-D. dc.description: open access article

 

Key research outputs

Prof Taylor has led the development of a totally implantable artificial pancreas for the treatment of insulin dependent diabetes and the setting up of an exercise physiology lab in DMU for the study of exercise physiology in diabetes patients.

Research interests/expertise

  • Insulin physico-chemistry
  • Diabetes control
  • Drug delivery
  • Rheometry (viscosity of gels and sols)
  • Engineering and design of devices for drug delivery
  • Physiological parameters for exercise in diabetes.

Areas of teaching

  • Compounding of medicines
  • Pharmaceutics and formulation
  • Biopharmaceutics, with focus on eye and brain
  • Targeted drug delivery
  • Delivery of insulin in diabetes.

Qualifications

BSc, MSc, PhD, GPhC MRPSGB

Courses taught

  • Pharmacy MPharm
  • Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Science and associated MSc
  • MSc degree QbD.

Membership of professional associations and societies

  • Member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain
  • Member of the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)

Professional licences and certificates

Membership of GPhC is licence to practise.

Forthcoming events

  • CRS in Quebec - July 2012
  • APS in Nottingham - Sept 2012
  • Diabetes Technology Meeting, Bethesda - Nov 2012
  • Development of Channel 4 programme Body Build about artificial organs for broadcast in UK and US and an exhibition in Kensington Science Museum and Washington Smithsonian – Winter 2012
  • Development of NHS TV programme for broadcast - Winter 2012.

Conference attendance

Posters

Taylor, M. & Sahota, T. Glucose-sensitive insulin delivery in vivo - an artificial pancreas? (Poster) 3rd International conference on advanced treatments and technologies (ATTD) Basel Feb 2010.

Sahota T. S. and Taylor M. J. Competitive displacement of blue dextran by cibacron blue in dextran albumin gels? (Poster) Intern. Symp. Control. Rel. Bioact. Mater, Controlled Release Society, Inc. Portland, Oregon 2010.

Invited presentations

Taylor M. J. An overview of the role of closed loop control in diabetes Intern. Symp. Control. Rel. Bioact. Mater, Controlled Release Society, Inc. New York 2008 (invited talk, abstract printed in Journal of Controlled Release).

Taylor M. J. Automated basal–boost insulin delivery British Pharmaceutical Conference (Science) (invited talk, abstract printed in Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmacology) Sept 2009.

Taylor, M. & Sahota, T. Devising an automated basal–boost insulin delivery system (invited talk) Bioengineering ’09 Conference, Oxford Sept 2009.

Taylor, M. & Sahota, T. Devising an automated basal–boost insulin delivery system (invited talk) Polymer Carriers for Controlled Drug Delivery at the 11th Pacific Polymer.
Conference series (PPC11) ’09 Conference, Cairns, N. Queensland December 2009.

Taylor, M. & Sahota, T. Devising an automated basal–boost insulin delivery system (invited talk) Australasian Pharmaceutical Science Association (APSA) & Aus-CRS scientific meeting ’09, Hobart, Tasmania Dec 2009.

Taylor M. J. In Pursuit of Closed Loop Delivery of Insulin. South East Health Technologies Alliance (SEHTA) Monitoring and Managing Drug Delivery –(no abstract) 2009.

Taylor M. J. Novel Closed Loop Delivery of Insulin. Royal Society of Medicine, Wimple St, London (no abstract) 2010 Direct link to video of lecture http://www.rsmvideos.com/videoPlayer/?vid=127

Taylor M. J. Novel Closed Loop Delivery of Insulin. Leicester Royal Infirmary Childrens Diabetes Group 2011.

Taylor M. J. Modern Methods of Insulin Delivery Association of British Clinical Diabetologists (ABCD) Leeds April 2012.

Consultancy work

  • Broadcasts about diabetes and the artificial pancreas.
  • Available for consultancy about drug/protein/insulin delivery except in COI cases
  • Available to teach or consult using rheometry (state of art equipment).

Current research students

1st Supervisor to:

  • Ahmed Alsabih
  • Mohammed Albihed
  • Dolly Jacob
  • E-Ching Luo

2nd Supervisor to:

  • Adeola Kola-Mustapha

Externally funded research grants information

  • Development of rodent model for testing artificial pancreas Lachesis - £248k investment and research support - 2004
  • Development of gel for artificial pancreas NEAT - £189k - 2004
  • Development of refillable artificial pancreas and pilot testing in pig model - NEAT £277k - 2008
  • Medical engineering for refillable pancreas Prospect IP - £55k - 2008
  • Additional for due diligence Lachesis - £5k - 2008
  • Development of pig model Edith Murphy Foundation - £50k research funding with 50% matched - 2008
  • Osmotic pressure and stability testing for gel in artificial pancreas Edith Murphy Foundation - £50k research funding with 50% matched - 2011
  • Business development, partner search, regulatory development for INSmart artificial pancreas Edith Murphy Foundation - £200 research funding - 2011

Internally funded research project information

Nanoparticle for CNS targeting HEIF - £10k - 2011

Published patents

Patents 1993-2012

Taylor, MJ Patent Application 9126301.2 (Improving Effectiveness of Drugs) (re-filed in December 1991, transferred to Pharmakopius International in 1994 and now lapsed.

Taylor, M. (1992). Drug System. Filing & published July 1993. Patent Application 9200638.6 (Drug System I) Patent WO 93/13803. Granted US (5,830,506 1998) (divisional 09/124,694 still pending late 2004). Europe EP0626862 B11999 granted Sept 1 1999, De Montfort University. Now being allowed to lapse as 2001 patent granted.

Taylor, M. (1993). Drug System II. Filing & published January 1995. Patent Application 9313484.9. Patent WO 95/01186. Granted US (5,902,607 1999) (divisional 09/124,445 or alternatively US6410053 granted 2002). Granted in Europe –EP0706401 Nov 27 2002, De Montfort University. Now being allowed to lapse as 2001 patent granted.

Taylor, M. (2001). Glucose Sensing Gel. (10 July 2001 filing; PCT filed July 2002, issued 23 01 03), GB.0116860.8, De Montfort University.(Granted in Europe Dec 2010 and in the US in 2012).

Taylor, M. (2012). Three new patents relating to the device in process of filing. Details available sumer 2012

Case studies

Information about the Artificial Pancreas
The artificial pancreas was developed by Professor Joan Taylor. It is made of a metal casing that holds a holds a gel filled barrier inside. http://www.informationaboutdiabetes.com/news/diabetes-research/information-about-the-artificial-pancreas

Leicester develop new artificial pancreas
A researcher from Leicester has developed an artificial pancreas which could put a stop to daily injections.
www.drwf.org.uk/tabid/705/View/true/ParentId/242/Default.aspx

Artificial pancreas offers hope to diabetics
A researcher has developed an artificial pancreas that she says could revolutionise the treatment of diabetes.
www.independent.ie/.../artificial-pancreas-offers-hope-to-diabetics-2341282.html

Artificial pancreas | Facebook
Professor Joan Taylor of De Montfort University has patented a new type of artificial pancreas.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Artificial-pancreas/102178366490028

joan-Taylor