Multifunctional implants: Elucidation of the interaction of combined drug delivery systems

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Svea Petersen
• Subject Area: Biomaterials
• Term: from 2016 to 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 322783320

The purpose of the project in preparation for application within the Projektakademie Ingenieurwissenschaften is the establishment and elucidation of the interaction of combined implant-associated drug delivery systems at the example of the modification of the high performance polymer PEEK with fluorescent model substances. Within this context, simple (1 drug) and dual (2 drugs and/or 2 drug release mechanisms) PEEK-associated drug delivery systems will be designed and thoroughly investigated with regard to the so far undescribed interaction of different drug release systems from one substrate. By the means of PEEK, which is a challenging substrate for surface modification due to its very low surface energy and its elevated chemical resistance, the potential of applied modification methods can be nicely studied. The in vitro drug release studies will be performed with state-of-the-art incubation and own-established test methods, adapted to the physical conditions of preferred scope of application of PEEK-based implants, for example orthopaedics and dentistry. Obtained results and established characterization methods will be fundamental for the further development of dual implant-associated drug delivery systems, which will be more and more requested in the future not least due to increasing implant requirements as a result of the demographic change. The approval of the here-applied grant is a necessary precondition for a successive promising project application. With this grant the applicant will be able to carry out and closely accompany further necessary experimental preparations concerning the establishment of surface modification methods and the development of in vitro drug release studies, which are currently issue of different student theses. The expertise of the applicant is critical for success, as the topic of the envisaged project will open a novel research area at the Hochschule Osnabrück in between existing research foci in polymer processing for technical applications and the characterization and modification of ceramics and metals as dental implants.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants