Fully Funded PhD Position in Nerve Tissue Engineering Using 3D Printing Technology

Qualification type: PhD

Location: UWL & UCL School of Pharmacy (UK)

Collaborator: UCL School of Pharmacy

Funding for: UK and International students

Hours: Full time

Duration: 3 years

Project start date: September 2024 

Funding

A fully funded PhD studentship (all tuition fees paid) is available for UK and International students to apply.  Successful PhD scholars will be expected to contribute to departmental teaching or research activities for a maximum of six hours per week.

Title: 3D printed collagen-based scaffold for targeted therapies for nerve impairments

Supervisors:

• Dr Hanieh Khalili (Contact detail: hanieh.khalili@uwl.ac.uk)
• Prof James Philips (Contact detail: jb.phillips@ucl.ac.uk )

This cross-disciplinary PhD project is a collaboration between the School of Biomedical Science at the University of West London (UWL), to develop 3D printing of collagen-based biomaterials under the supervision of Dr. Hanieh Khalili, and the School of Pharmacy at University College London (UCL), to incorporate nerve cells within the printed scaffolds  under the guidance of Prof. James B. Phillips at the UCL Centre for Nerve Engineering (https://jamesphillips.org/. The project aims to investigate the fabrication of 3D-printed collagen-based scaffolds for the treatment of peripheral nerve injury (PNI). Current treatments for PNI often involve harvesting nerve tissue from another part of the patient's body and grafting it to the injured site. However, there is a critical need for less invasive and more effective solutions. Tissue engineering offers a promising approach, with the ultimate goal of replacing damaged neural cells. Pioneering work at the UCL Centre for Nerve Engineering, led by Prof. Phillips, has resulted in the development of Engineered Neural Tissue (EngNT), incorporating living neural cells within a collagen hydrogel matrix. This approach holds significant promise for nerve regeneration. However, a key challenge remains: fabricating EngNT with precise cell patterning within a three-dimensional structure is crucial for effective regeneration. This is precisely the aim of this PhD project.

To achieve this, the project will leverage Combined pharmaceutical and chemical expertise including chemical synthesis, 3D printing, and biomaterial development. Biological testing may involve in vitro assays including live cell imaging and confocal microscopy, with the opportunity for using preclinical models to test translationally relevant designs.

Requirements

• You must have an MPharm or MSc degree (or equivalent experience and/or qualifications) in an area pertinent to the subject area, i.e. Pharmaceutical Science, Pharmacy, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biomedical Science or Biological Science.
• You must have a high standard undergraduate degree at UK 1st class or 2:1 level (or international equivalent)
• Where English is not the applicant’s first language, a minimum IELTS Academic English score of 7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in all components is required. 

How to apply

For further information about the Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarships please visit our website:  www.uwl.ac.uk/research/research-degrees/phd-opportunities

Application deadline: 15 May 2024

When completing your online application please state the project title in your personal statement. Applications will only be accepted via the online application form.

Applications must include the following:

• Full CV, with a list of any significant course projects and/or industrial experience.
• A 2-page research statement indicating what you see as interesting research issues relating to the above PhD topic description and why your expertise is relevant.
• Academic transcripts/grades
• A copy of publications of the applicant (if any)

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