Qualification Type: | PhD |
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Location: | London |
Funding for: | UK Students, EU Students, International Students |
Funding amount: | £22,000 per year |
Hours: | Full Time |
Placed On: | 21st March 2024 |
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Closes: | 15th May 2024 |
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:
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
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:
Type / Role:
Subject Area(s):
Location(s):