PhD Studentship: Polymeric Microsystems for Targeted Oral Drug Delivery

Oral targeted drug delivery in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is highly sought for treating localized conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Traditional approaches rely on passive enteric coatings that dissolve at specific pH ranges, but these lack precision and control over release timing/location. Ingestible “smart capsules”, such as IntelliCap, have emerged as an attractive alternative, offering electronically controlled release at designated GI sites. While ingestible devices demonstrate the promise of electronic capsules, they also highlight current limitations. Using relatively bulky actuators (often a stepper motor) and discrete components leads to a large capsule size and high manufacturing cost. Activation often requires external commands or pre-programming, and accurate closed-loop control (verifying the dose delivered) is lacking. There is a clear need to advance the state-of-the-art by making ingestible capsules more autonomous, energetically efficient, and intelligent. This PhD project will explore a novel approach: leveraging polymeric microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology to create a miniaturised micropump-based ingestible capsule that can actively deliver drugs at the target site, using only an internal battery and on-board sensors for fully autonomous operation.

The overarching goal is to develop a battery-powered ingestible capsule that autonomously delivers a drug payload to a specific GI region using an integrated microfluidic system. This microfluidic system will incorporate a micropump suitable for an ingestible capsule, utilising low-voltage actuation to actively pump liquid drug, while ensuring compact size and reliability. Other components in the microfluidic system will include drug reservoirs, microchannels and microvalves that are crucial for precise dosing and prevent backflow or leakage. In-situ flow and pH sensors will provide additional intelligence to the system. pH sensors will detect the capsule's location along the GI tract and trigger drug release, while the flow sensors will ensure the accurate dosage is released each time and detect failures such as blockage and under-delivery. The microfluidic system will be controlled using a low-power embedded electronic system within the capsule. The assembled capsule will be tested in a simulated GI environment.

The University is uniquely positioned to benefit any applicant interested in a future career in healthcare technology. The University emphasises the clinical translation of innovative research to ensure real-world impact through the Healthcare Technologies Institute and the Precision Healthcare Technology Accelerator. The School of Engineering also has an established Medical Engineering research group with links to several SME and multinational medical device companies.

Funding notes:

Applications are sought from highly motivated students graduating with first degree (2:1 or higher) in engineering (and preferably a MSci/MEng degree) with home fee status. Home fee status includes UK citizens, citizens of the Republic of Ireland and EU citizens with settled status in the UK. Funding is awarded by the School on a competitive basis, depending on the strength of the applicant. The funding will cover tuition fees and provide a stipend for 3.5 years.

For details of the funding available and advice on making your application, please contact: G.Cummins@bham.ac.uk with a copy of your CV and degree transcripts.

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