3D-Printed Biodegradable Implants for Localised Anti-inflammatory Drug Delivery in Arthritis.

About the Project

This PhD project will develop advanced biodegradable implants for the localised and sustained delivery of anti-inflammatory drugs to treat arthritis. The research will focus on the use of 3D printing technologies to fabricate implants that are anatomically tailored to individual patients, enhancing therapeutic precision and comfort.

Two types of implantable systems will be explored:

• Larger implants designed for surgical implantation near inflamed joints, enabling prolonged drug release and structural support.
• Injectable micro-implants, engineered for minimally invasive administration, allowing targeted therapy with reduced procedural burden.

Biodegradable polymers such as polyurethane (PU), poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), PLGA, and PLA will be used to carry drugs including dexamethasone acetate, triamcinolone acetonide, methotrexate, tacrolimus, and leflunomide. These implants will be evaluated for drug release kinetics, polymer degradation, and therapeutic efficacy. The project will assess their ability to suppress neovascularization, macrophage activation, and inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-6, TNF-α), while minimising systemic toxicity.

This research aims to advance personalised, localised treatment strategies for arthritis, improving patient outcomes and reducing reliance on systemic therapies.

Training provided through the research project

The PhD student will join a dynamic and international research environment within Queen’s University Belfast’s Drug Delivery Group, collaborating with over 40 researchers. They will receive hands-on training in 3D printing, polymer processing, formulation of biodegradable implants, drug delivery, and pharmaceutical materials science.

Training will include material characterisation techniques such as SEM, mechanical testing, thermal analysis, HPLC, UV-vis, fluorescence, IR spectroscopy, Raman microscopy, and tomography. The student will also gain experience in biological evaluation using arthritis models.

Professional development will be supported by the QUB Graduate School through tailored programmes in research skills, leadership, and career planning. The student will develop competencies in academic writing, project management, and industrial communication, and will present their research at national and international conferences to enhance their professional profile.

Expected impact activities

The student will disseminate their research through publications in high-impact journals focused on drug delivery and biomaterials, and present findings at international conferences in pharmaceutical sciences and rheumatology. They will engage with clinical and industrial partners to support translational development and explore opportunities for patent applications and personalised medicine innovations. Public engagement and science communication will also be encouraged to broaden the societal impact of the research.

Funding Notes

This project is not funded; applications are welcome from self-funding candidates.

References

3D printing; Biodegradable implants; Arthritis; Anti-inflammatory; Drug delivery; Controlled release systems; Additive manufacturing