PhD Studentship: Multi-scale Durability Assessment of Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems

A great opportunity has arisen at the University of Birmingham and Abbott DBC to undertake an industry-led PhD project in the area of continuous glucose monitoring systems durability. Background: Continuous glucose sensors have become a key component in Type 1 diabetes management. However, some reports have suggested their usability is limited by the impact of foreign body response (FBR) on their duration, reliability, and accuracy. CGM sensors (CGMS) are implanted or inserted into the body for several days. During this time, the sensor is exposed to a harsh environment, including changes in temperature, humidity, and pH, as well as the body's natural defences, such as the immune system and the inflammatory response. As such, there is a need to better understand processes occurring at the sensor-tissue tissue interface and develop appropriate preclinical test methodologies to enable the robust development of future materials-systems and devices.

Aim: The aim of this study is to develop a suite of connected multi-scale methodologies to investigate interfacial processes occurring at the CGM sensor-tissue interface. This will include both experimental and computational aspects with the view to produce an initial validated computational simulation of the system. To meet the aims of this project the following objectives, which forms the foundation of three work packages, will be completed:

OBJ1 – Baseline assessment of surrounding tissues and the role of environment on GCM sensor performance.

OBJ2 – Development of physiologically representative systems scale models incorporating aspects of biomechanics, biotriobology and sensing.

OBJ3 – To systematically assess durability of GCM sensors under physiologically representative conditions.

The supervisory team for this PhD opportunity comprises distinguished experts from the University of Birmingham. Prof. Michael Bryant, a leading authority in Biotribology research and its translation, brings extensive experience in multidisciplinary research and PhD training on biomaterial degradation and in situ sensing, with funding from the EU, EPSRC, and industry. Prof. Richard Hall, a renowned Professor of Biomechanics, has led numerous international grants and impact activities, including PhD training, in medical engineering, securing significant funding from the EU, EPSRC, and NIH, and serves as the MECH EDI champion. Dr. Rob Beadling is an Assistant Professor with and established track record in biotriboloigcal research and preclinical testing of medical devices. Together, their combined expertise and successful track records in securing substantial research funding and awards position them as an exceptional supervisory team for this research project.

Funding notes:

This role is fully funded by Abbott DBC. Eligibility is limited to UK-students. any further questions: M.G.Bryant@bham.ac.uk.

Advert information