Dr Julia Mantaj

Julia’s primary research focuses on the development of physiological 2D-models using human-derived organoids as the next generation of improved in vitro models.

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Background

Julia graduated as a pharmacist from the Technical University of Braunschweig (Germany), and then completed her PhD at King’s College London (KCL) with studies on the interaction of DNA minor-groove binding agents with DNA and their effects on gene expression.

Following her PhD, she spent two years in the industry as Postdoctoral Researcher working on development of next generation DNA-interactive payload molecules for the use in antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).

Julia started her Research Associate position at KCL in April 2018, and her research activities focused on the establishment of a blueprint design for non-invasive drug delivery. In 2019, she was appointed a Teaching Fellow position in Pharmacy at KCL. Julia is a GPhC-registered pharmacist who practices as a Locum Pharmacist in community pharmacies.

Julia joined ARU as a Lecturer in Biomedical Science in November 2021. She is a member of the Biomedical Research Group.

Spoken Languages

• Russian
• German
• English

Research interests

Julia’s primary research focuses on the development of physiological two-dimensional models (e.g., mammary, intestinal) using human-derived organoids as the next generation of improved in vitro models. Her research interests also include the development of hydrogel-based systems for rectal delivery of cell therapy for the restitution of injured colonic mucosa in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Teaching

BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science

• Module leader for Core Biology (level 4)
• Contributes to Human Anatomy and Physiology (level 4)
• Contributes to Principles of Genetics (level 5)
• Contributes to Human Pathology (level 6)

MSc Applied Bioscience

• Contributes to Current Advances in Biomedical Sciences (level 7)

Qualifications

• PhD in Pharmacy, King’s College London (UK)
• MSc in Pharmacy, Technical University of Braunschweig (Germany)

Memberships, editorial boards

• Member of the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
• Member of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
• Member of the Topical Advisory Panel for Pharmaceutics

Research grants, consultancy, knowledge exchange

• ARU Research Development Support Grant: £10,000 (2022-2023)
• As Principal Investigator: Development of hydrogel systems for rectal delivery of cell therapy in inflammatory bowel disease, Anglia Ruskin University, £10,000, Research Development Support Grant, 2022-2023
• As Co-Investigator: Defining the interaction of nanomedicines with the small intestine, Organ on a Chip Network and Emulate Proof of Concept Award, Vllasaliu D, Mantaj J, £6,000, 2022

Selected recent publications

Carobolante, G., Mantaj, J., Ferrari, E., Vllasaliu, D. 2020. Cow Milk and Intestinal Epithelial Cell-derived Extracellular Vesicles as Systems for Enhancing Oral Drug Delivery. Pharmaceutics. 12(3), 226.

Mantaj J., Vllasaliu D. 2020. Recent advances in the oral delivery of biologics. The Pharmaceutical Journal. 304(7933).

Muraleetharan, V., Mantaj, J., Swedrowska M., Vllasaliu D. 2019. Nanoparticle modification in biological media: implications for oral nanomedicines. RSC Advances. 9(69), 40487-40497.

Yong, J., Mantaj, J., Vllasaliu, D. 2019. Delivery of nanoparticles across the intestinal epithelium via the transferrin transport pathway. Pharmaceutics. 11(7), 298.

Aprodu, A., Mantaj, J., Abraham, B., Vllasaliu, D. 2019. Evaluation of a methylcellulose and hyaluronic acid hydrogel as a vehicle for rectal delivery of biologics. Pharmaceutics. 11(3), 127.

Mantaj, J., Abu-Shams, T., Enlo-Scott, Z., Swedrowska, M., Vllasaliu, D. 2018. The role of basement membrane in intestinal barrier to absorption of macromolecules and nanoparticles. Molecular Pharmaceutics. 15(12), 5802-5808.

Zhai, J., Mantaj, J., Vllasaliu, D. 2018. Ascorbyl palmitate hydrogel for local, intestinal delivery of macromolecules. Pharmaceutics. 10(4), 188.

Recent presentations and conferences

• Global Conference on Nanotechnology and Materials Science, Valencia, Spain, 2019
• European and Global Summit for Clinical Nanomedicine, Targeted Delivery and Precision Medicine, Basel, Switzerland, 2018
• Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research, Washington DC, USA, 2017
• Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research, New Orleans, USA, 2016
• Croucher Summer Course in Cancer Biology, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 2015
• Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research, Philadelphia, USA, 2015
• Annual Meeting of the AACR-NCI-EORTC, Barcelona, Spain, 2014
• Nucleic Acids Forum, Royal Society of Chemistry, London, UK, 2014
• Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research, San Diego, USA, 2014
• Royal Society of Chemistry Symposium, Warwick, UK, 2014
• Nucleic Acids Forum, Royal Society of Chemistry, London, UK, 2013
• Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research, Washington DC, USA, 2013

Media experience

This animation highlights the work Julia has previously carried out which was active in patient-centred, pharmaceutical research and specialised in overcoming the biological barriers to improve drug therapies.

Nanomedicines for oral drug delivery – Sci Ani