PhD Studentship - 3D characterization of micro-porosities in compact bone – interrogation of blood vessel and bone cell interaction

Institute for Life Sciences/ Gerald Kerkut Foundation funded PhD Opportunity, University of Southampton

Joint project : Faculty of Engineering and Faculty of Natural Sciences and the Environment

Age related bone fractures are a constant challenge in our aging society and as little is known about the onset of osteoporosis, prevention of osteoporotic fractures remains difficult. Within this project the hypothesis is taken that changes in bone mass, architecture and material properties, which all lead to increased fragility, are preceded by changes of the architecture of the blood vessels perfusing bone. Using genetic models different stages of osteoporosis can be selected and bones analysed by use of X-ray micro-computed tomography (µCT). µCT delivers true 3D data to a resolution of 1 µm and beyond. Image processing allows the extraction and quantification of all pores and will answer the stated hypothesis. Of interest are parameters such the density of blood vessels, the distance of any point within the tissue to the nearest blood vessel as well as spatial relationships between osteocyte lacunae (micro-porosities containing bone mechanosensory cells) and blood vessels.

The project will entail µCT scanning of bones during development, adulthood and finally disease, both at the µVIS tomography centre at the University of Southampton (www.southampton.ac.uk/muvis/) as well as at synchrotron sources such as Diamond Light Source, the Swiss Light Source or ESRF. Further, image data is to be analysed utilising hardware and software available through the visualisation suite within µVIS. While some algorithms for analysis are already in place further ones are to be developed in the course of the project. Further experiments on mouse bones could also include mechanical testing and compositional analysis but are dependent on project progress.

This studentship postion is available from October 2013 for 3 years. Cross faculty supervisors are Dr Claire Clarkin, Centre for Biological Sciences UoS, Professor Philipp Thurner, TU Wien (Austria)/ Faculty of Engineering UoS and Professor Ian Sinclair, Faculty of Engineering UoS. This studentship will be based between two campuses; Southampton General Hospital and Highfield. In addition, trips to TU Wien (Vienna University of Technology) are envisaged for collaborative discussions and analyses. Imaging experiments are to be carried out at the University of Southampton as well as state of the art synchrotron sources such as Diamond Light Source - UK, the Swiss Light Source – Switzerland or ESRF - France.