Biodegradable metamaterials as passive “oral soft robots” for mucosa-interactive delivery of biologics

About the Project

Oral delivery of biologics is blocked by enzymatic/pH degradation, mucus and epithelial barriers, and short residence time, as well as safety constraints around invasive penetration. Reviews and “grand challenge” pieces continue to emphasize that the field needs delivery strategies matched to clinical need and safety, not just clever mechanisms. Meanwhile, the most successful physical oral approaches to date often use metal components, electronics, or externally controlled systems, and/or rely on penetration devices.

This PhD will create a new class of orally administered fully biodegradable “soft robotic” drug delivery systems based on architected microlattice metamaterials. The project addresses a central translational barrier in oral biologics delivery: safe, controllable interaction with intestinal mucosa without electronics, metal components, or surgical deployment/removal.

Unmet need and why this is a hard translational challenge

Oral delivery of biologics remains constrained by rapid degradation in the stomach and small intestine, limited permeability across mucus and epithelium, and short residence time at the target site. Many physical-device approaches that have produced strong proof-of-concept outcomes use rigid components, external control, or penetration mechanisms, which can create complexity, cost, and safety barriers. The gap this project targets is a new device class that is mechanically functional yet fully biodegradable, and that interacts with the gut through distributed, compliant contact rather than forced injection, electronics, or bulky control hardware. Reviews of oral biologics consistently frame this as a major translational bottleneck, where efficacy must be earned alongside safety and manufacturability.

What is genuinely new scientific knowledge here

The central new knowledge claim is that there is currently no systematic, quantitative understanding of how 3D architected topology couples to intestinal mucosa under realistic GI shear, lubrication, and peristaltic conditions. This project will build the first “interaction atlas” linking architecture topology and mechanical response to mucosal outcomes such as retention versus transit, mucus deformation and replenishment dynamics, epithelial contact stress distributions, inflammatory response markers, and permeability modulation without active actuation.

Methods and technical approach

The project will combine architected-material design, additive manufacturing, polymer chemistry, and GI biointerface testing. Early prototypes can be fabricated with high-resolution micro-printing for exploring topology, followed by a manufacturing-relevant route such as DLP/SLA printing of biodegradable resins or printed sacrificial templates for casting. Surface and bulk material properties will be tuned using blends of biodegradable polymers and, where appropriate, hydrogel phases. Drug loading will leverage lattice porosity for microencapsulation, protective excipients, and controlled release coatings. Stability and release will be assessed across simulated gastric and intestinal fluids, followed by biological validation in the models above.

Person specification

We are looking to recruit ambitious and motivated graduates with pharmaceutical or engineering background who are interested in carrying out ground-breaking research for fabrication and functionalisation of next-generation drug delivery systems for proteins.

Research training

The candidate will pursue a PhD programme in the Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King’s College London. The institute is top 20 Pharmacy and pharmacology school in QS university ranking. https://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/research-courses/cancer-and-pharmaceutical-sciences-mphil-phd

The project will involve using several techniques such as computer aided design (CAD), 3D printing technologies, physical characterization of hydrogel, essential protein formulation, in vitro permeability studies using cell-line models and in vivo proof of concept in model animals.

Dr Alhnan has a world-leading expertise in pharmaceutical additive manufacturing https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/alhnan.html  https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=boaKXLsAAAAJ&hl=en

Informal enquiries with CV are welcome to be sent to Dr Mohamed A Alhnan:

Alhnan@kcl.ac.uk