Student Researchers' Society Topics

While carbon nanostructures offer promising advancements in water purification, their interaction with pharmaceutical residues poses a complex environmental challenge. While the removal of contaminants from water is undoubtedly beneficial, inadequate treatment of the resulting nanostructure-drug residue can introduce additional potential risks. The interaction between pharmaceutical residues and carbon nanostructures is influenced by a multitude of factors, including the specific properties of both and the prevailing environmental conditions. This interaction can alter the behavior, bioavailability, and toxicity of pharmaceutical residues. Understanding how these interactions affect environmental and human health is paramount. Ultimately, gaining insights into these interactions will aid in creating sustainable and effective environmental management practices, ensuring that the use of carbon nanostructures in water treatment is both safe and beneficial. It is essential to strike a balance between harnessing the benefits of these nanomaterials and addressing the potential risks associated with their interactions with pharmaceutical residues.

The research topic focuses on addressing the growing environmental issue of pharmaceutical residues in water systems. As our lifestyle and medical practices contribute to the increasing presence of active pharmaceutical substances and their metabolites in the environment, finding effective methods to remove these contaminants has become crucial. Carbon nanostructures, including single-walled nanotubes, multi-walled nanotubes, and graphene oxide, offer promising potential due to their large surface areas and unique adsorption properties. This research aims to investigate the adsorption capacities of various carbon nanomaterials for different classes of pharmaceutical residues. The study will begin by comparing the efficiency of different carbon nanostructures in adsorbing pharmaceutical compounds, focusing on their inherent properties and how they influence adsorption performance. The research will then explore the impact of functionalizing these carbon nanostructures with different chemical groups, such as carboxyl or amino groups, to enhance their adsorption properties for specific pharmaceutical residues. The experimental work will involve synthesizing and characterizing both pristine and functionalized carbon nanostructures. Adsorption experiments will be conducted to evaluate their capacity to remove pharmaceutical residues from aqueous solutions, with a focus on understanding the interactions between the nanomaterials and the pharmaceutical molecules. Analytical techniques, such as spectroscopy and chromatography, will be used to measure the efficiency of adsorption and to analyze the effectiveness of functionalization. This research is expected to provide valuable insights into the comparative adsorption efficiencies of different carbon nanostructures and the benefits of functionalization. By identifying the most effective nanomaterials and modifications for removing pharmaceutical residues from the environment, this study aims to contribute to the development of advanced water treatment technologies that can mitigate the impact of pharmaceutical pollution on ecosystems and human health.

The research topic explores the effectiveness of two widely used docking software programs— AutoDock and Gold—in predicting cocrystal formation and identifying promising cocrystal pairs. Cocrystallization is a valuable strategy in pharmaceutical development for improving drug properties, but accurately predicting which molecular pairs will form stable cocrystals remains challenging. This research aims to determine which docking software, AutoDock or Gold, is more effective for predicting cocrystal formation. The study will begin by creating a database of known cocrystal structures sourced from the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD), ensuring a diverse range of cocrystal types and molecular properties are represented. These structures will serve as the basis for comparative analysis. In the computational phase, molecular structures of the cocrystal components will be prepared for docking using appropriate software tools. Docking simulations will then be conducted using both AutoDock and Gold to predict the binding affinities and orientations of the cocrystal components. The predicted binding poses and affinities will be compared with the experimentally observed cocrystal structures to evaluate the accuracy of each software. The research will assess the strengths and weaknesses of AutoDock and Gold in predicting cocrystal formation, providing insights into the factors that influence the performance of docking software in this context. By identifying the most promising cocrystal pairs and comparing the predictive accuracy of each software, this study aims to contribute to the advancement of computational methods for rational cocrystal design in pharmaceutical research. 

The research topic focuses on assessing the effectiveness of three different software programs in predicting cocrystal structures and identifying promising cocrystal pairs. Cocrystallization is a crucial process in pharmaceutical development, offering the potential to enhance the properties of drugs. However, accurately predicting the crystal structures of cocrystals remains a significant challenge. This research aims to determine which software—XtalOpt, CrystalMaker, or CrystalExplorer—is most effective for predicting cocrystal structures. The study will begin by creating a comprehensive database of known cocrystal structures from the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD), ensuring that a diverse range of cocrystal types and molecular properties are included for a thorough evaluation. In the computational phase, XtalOpt, CrystalMaker, and CrystalExplorer will be used to predict the crystal structures of the cocrystal components. These predictions will then be compared with the experimentally determined structures to assess the accuracy of each software. The comparison will provide valuable insights into the ability of each tool to accurately model and predict the complex interactions that govern cocrystal formation. The research will evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each software in terms of accuracy, efficiency, and ease of use. By analyzing the results across different types of cocrystal systems, the study aims to identify the most effective software for cocrystal prediction. The findings will also offer recommendations for selecting the appropriate software based on specific research needs, contributing to the advancement of computational methods in cocrystal design and pharmaceutical development.

Co-supervisor: Ifj. Dr. KÁSA, Péter

Orodispersible tablets play a great role in life saving situations. Dissolution amd disintegration properties, their investigation and its improvement is essential for the pharmaceutical therapy. This topic aims to reveal the relationship between the manufacturing process parametrs, excipients and the dissolution of the tablets. Within the topic the student has to plan an experimental design, participates in the manufacture and carries out the measurements.

Development of a Co-amorphous Drug-Drug Delivery System

The research topic focuses on the sustainability and safety of using carbon nanomaterials in water treatment applications. As pharmaceutical residues continue to pollute water systems due to widespread medical use and improper disposal, there is a growing need for effective and reliable methods to remove these contaminants. Carbon nanostructures, such as nanotubes and graphenebased materials, have shown promise as adsorbents due to their high surface area and strong adsorption capabilities. However, their long-term stability, reusability, and environmental impact require thorough investigation. This research aims to evaluate the durability and regeneration potential of carbon nanostructurebased adsorbents over multiple adsorption-desorption cycles. The study will first focus on assessing the structural integrity and adsorption efficiency of these materials after repeated use, providing insights into their long-term viability as sustainable water treatment solutions. Additionally, the research will explore various regeneration techniques to determine the most effective methods for restoring the adsorption capacity of these materials while minimizing energy and resource consumption. In parallel, the research will assess the environmental impact of using carbon nanostructures in water treatment. The study will also evaluate the benefits of these materials in reducing pharmaceutical pollution, weighing them against any potential environmental hazards. The expected outcomes of this research include a comprehensive understanding of the long-term stability and reusability of carbon nanostructure-based adsorbents, as well as a balanced assessment of their environmental impact. By addressing both the effectiveness and safety of these materials, this study aims to contribute to the development of environmentally responsible and sustainable water purification technologies that can mitigate the impact of pharmaceutical residues on ecosystems and public health.

This research focuses on the critical interactions between drug nanocarriers, such as chitosan nanoparticles, and serum albumin, a key plasma protein. Drug nanocarriers have emerged as promising tools in targeted drug delivery systems due to their ability to enhance drug stability, control release rates, and improve bioavailability. However, the interaction between these nanocarriers and serum albumin is a complex process that can significantly influence the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the drug delivery system.

The study will employ various analytical techniques, including spectroscopic, chromatographic, and electrochemical methods, to characterize the binding interactions between different drug nanocarriers and serum albumin. Understanding these interactions is essential, as they can affect the nanocarrier's stability, drug release profile, and the overall therapeutic efficacy of the drug.

By investigating how serum albumin interacts with various types of nanocarriers, this research aims to provide valuable insights into the factors that govern these interactions and their implications for drug delivery. The findings could lead to the development of more effective nanocarrier-based therapies, optimizing drug release and minimizing potential side effects. This comprehensive study will contribute to advancing the field of nanomedicine and improving the design and application of drug delivery systems in clinical settings.

The research topic centers on creating and analyzing filaments designed for pharmaceutical applications. This involves experimenting with various ratios of polymers, additives, and drugs to develop filaments with tailored properties. Key aspects include optimizing the mechanical strength, flexibility, and biodegradability of the filaments to ensure they perform effectively in drug delivery.

Researchers will measure the mechanical properties, such as tensile strength and elongation, to assess the filament's durability during printing and use. Thermal properties, like glass transition temperature, are evaluated to understand the filament's stability under different conditions. Chemical properties, especially solubility, are examined to determine how the filament interacts with biological environments.

A critical component of this research is exploring how filament composition, printing parameters, and external stimuli affect drug loading and release kinetics. This enables precise control over drug release rates, which is vital for personalized medicine. The research integrates material science, pharmaceutical technology, and 3D printing, offering a comprehensive approach to developing advanced drug delivery systems.

The research topic focuses on understanding how drugs interact with the materials used to create 3D-printed filaments. A key aspect of this research is evaluating the compatibility of various drugs with different filament materials to ensure that there is no degradation or adverse interactions during or after the printing process. Ensuring compatibility is crucial for maintaining the drug's efficacy and stability within the delivery system.

Another critical component involves measuring drug diffusion through the filament matrix. This helps in determining how the drug molecules move within the filament, which directly impacts the uniformity and effectiveness of drug delivery. The diffusion characteristics are essential for optimizing the drug release profile and ensuring consistent therapeutic outcomes.

The study also examines the release kinetics of drugs from the filaments under varying conditions such as pH and temperature. By investigating how these environmental factors influence drug release, researchers can design filaments that provide controlled and targeted drug delivery. This research integrates material science, pharmaceutical technology, and analytical techniques to advance the development of precise and effective 3D-printed drug delivery systems.

Tablet compression of plant cell containing materials makes production extremely difficult. Usually the higher the natural content in a tablet is, the harder the tablet compression can be carried out. The aim of this topic is to optimize a tablet’s ingredients by maximizing the natural content, selecting the proper excipients and match the basic criteria of tablets.

Co-supervisor: Dr. PÁL, Szilárd

This scientific topic includes the preformulation studies of the glutaminic acid, tablet compression and examination of the prepared tablets. Preparation will be carried out according to an experimental design, then after evaluation, an optimized composition and tableting process parameters will be re-adjusted in order to maximize tablet's mechanical properties.

The research topic focuses on utilizing computational tools and experimental techniques to identify and validate promising cocrystals for pharmaceutical applications. Cocrystallization offers a powerful approach to enhancing the physicochemical properties of drugs, such as solubility, stability, and bioavailability. However, selecting the right coformers for cocrystallization remains a significant challenge.

This research aims to explore whether virtual screening using the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) can effectively identify potential coformers for a specific pharmaceutical or class of pharmaceuticals. By employing CSD's extensive database, researchers will screen for coformers based on structural similarity, molecular properties, and other relevant criteria. The identified coformers will then serve as candidates for experimental validation.

In the experimental phase, various cocrystallization techniques, including solvent evaporation, melt quenching, and grinding, will be used to synthesize the predicted cocrystals. The formation and structural integrity of these cocrystals will be confirmed using techniques like X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, and spectroscopy. These methods will also help in characterizing the physicochemical properties of the cocrystals, such as solubility, stability, and bioavailability.

The research will compare the properties of the cocrystals with the pure drug, assessing the potential advantages of cocrystallization, such as enhanced drug performance and therapeutic efficacy. This study aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of virtual screening using the CSD in predicting successful cocrystal formations, contributing to the development of optimized drug formulations through rational design.

Production of food supplements is very close to operations and procedures used in pharmaceutical technology. It can be observed, that tablets and capsules containing food supplements are actually made by the same way, and using the same methods as in pharmaceutics. Aim of this topic is to focus on production and examination of solid dosage forms containing food supplements, comparing their quality to medicines of the same category, carrying out main pharmaceutical technological investigations independently from the active ingredients.

Development and characterization of natural product-based semisolid formulation for pharmaceutical application: Design, Evaluation and In-Vitro assessments.

Tablet compression of herb derived materials is a great challenge, since herb derived substances and plant cells usually have highly elastic properties, which makes it extremely difficult to produce tablets with acceptable physical properties. Aim of this topic is to acquire knowledge in this field, including testing compressibility properties of various plant derived materials.

Co-supervisor: Dr. PÁL, Szilárd

This scientific research project aims the pharmaceutical technological formulation of finely pulverized grape seed in order to produce a dietary supplement in form of a tablet. Topic include preformulation studies, the production itself and the examination of the preparation.

The research topic explores the interactions between naturally derived bioactive compounds and plasma proteins. Bioactive compounds from medicinal plants, long used in traditional medicine, have garnered significant interest as potential alternatives to synthetic chemicals due to their antibacterial, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. While these therapeutic effects have been validated, the physiological functions and interactions of these compounds with cells and proteins remain underexplored.

This research will focus on investigating the binding of bioactive compounds to plasma proteins using spectroscopic, chromatographic, and electrochemical methods. Understanding these binding properties is crucial as they influence the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of essential oils, determining how these compounds are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted by the body. By examining these interactions, the research aims to provide deeper insights into the complex nature of these bioactive compounds and their potential therapeutic applications.