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Dr J He, Dr S Gray
No more applications being accepted
Competition Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)
About the Project
Human skeletal muscle is a complex structure delivering mobility functions essential for quality of life. The structural integrity and function of skeletal muscle is negatively affected during many disease states such as type 2 diabetes, heart failure and also during ageing. Tools to accurately measure muscle fibre dimension (diameter of muscle cells) and membrane permeability (freedom of water movement across membrane) are therefore, pivotal in monitoring the effectiveness of treatment and early detection of such diseases. Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive method of probing tissue microstructure. However, methods for absolute quantification of muscle fibre dimensions and permeability are not yet available. This project aims to develop such a method and establish the quantitative relationship between the underlying structure and function with the diffusion MRI measurement signal.
We are seeking a highly motivated student with a background in a quantitative discipline such as physics, mathematics, engineering, computing etc. A background in MRI physics can be provided through a well established taught module at Masters level. The successful applicant will be involved in the development and implementation of advanced diffusion MRI methods and associated analysis tools. The project includes three main stages:
• Numerical simulation will be developed and compared with experimental findings from muscle biopsies to establish the link between the diffusion MRI signals and underlying structure.
• Optimisation of the diffusion MRI acquisition will be carried out under the guidance of numerical simulation to reduce scan time.
• A clinical pilot study will be conducted in the final phase of the project to compare an ageing population against young healthy controls.
At the end of the PhD, the successful applicant will have acquired transferable skills in numerical simulation, large image data analysis and MRI scanner programming, as well as expert knowledge in diffusion MRI (one of the most advanced branches of MRI methodology). The successful applicant will be encouraged to take part in skills training, as well as an internship with Philips Healthcare, our industrial partner.
This work will be conducted on the state-of-the-art 3T whole body MRI scanner (Philips Healthcare) part of the Aberdeen Biomedical Imaging Centre (ABIC). The University of Aberdeen has a long tradition of methodology development for biomedical applications, where a culture of strong interaction between multidisciplinary groups including scientists and clinicians stimulates scientific progress. The successful applicant will be guided by Dr Jiabao He (Lecturer in MRI Physics) in MRI physics and Dr Stuart R Gray (Senior Lecturer in Muscle Physiology) in muscle biology.
We are seeking a highly motivated student with a background in a quantitative discipline such as physics, mathematics, engineering, computing etc. A background in MRI physics can be provided through a well established taught module at Masters level. The successful applicant will be involved in the development and implementation of advanced diffusion MRI methods and associated analysis tools. The project includes three main stages:
• Numerical simulation will be developed and compared with experimental findings from muscle biopsies to establish the link between the diffusion MRI signals and underlying structure.
• Optimisation of the diffusion MRI acquisition will be carried out under the guidance of numerical simulation to reduce scan time.
• A clinical pilot study will be conducted in the final phase of the project to compare an ageing population against young healthy controls.
At the end of the PhD, the successful applicant will have acquired transferable skills in numerical simulation, large image data analysis and MRI scanner programming, as well as expert knowledge in diffusion MRI (one of the most advanced branches of MRI methodology). The successful applicant will be encouraged to take part in skills training, as well as an internship with Philips Healthcare, our industrial partner.
This work will be conducted on the state-of-the-art 3T whole body MRI scanner (Philips Healthcare) part of the Aberdeen Biomedical Imaging Centre (ABIC). The University of Aberdeen has a long tradition of methodology development for biomedical applications, where a culture of strong interaction between multidisciplinary groups including scientists and clinicians stimulates scientific progress. The successful applicant will be guided by Dr Jiabao He (Lecturer in MRI Physics) in MRI physics and Dr Stuart R Gray (Senior Lecturer in Muscle Physiology) in muscle biology.
Funding Notes
This project is eligible for the EASTBIO Doctoral Training Partnership: http://www.eastscotbiodtp.ac.uk/.
This opportunity is only open to UK nationals (or EU students who have been resident in the UK for at least three years immediately prior to the programme start date) due to restrictions imposed by the funding body.
This opportunity is only open to UK nationals (or EU students who have been resident in the UK for at least three years immediately prior to the programme start date) due to restrictions imposed by the funding body.
References
1. Donald W McRobbie. MRI From Picture to Proton, Second edition. (2007).
2. Karampinos, D. C., King, K. F., Sutton, B. P. & Georgiadis, J. G. Myofiber Ellipticity as an Explanation for Transverse Asymmetry of Skeletal Muscle Diffusion MRI In Vivo Signal. Ann Biomed Eng 37, 2532–2546 (2009).
2. Karampinos, D. C., King, K. F., Sutton, B. P. & Georgiadis, J. G. Myofiber Ellipticity as an Explanation for Transverse Asymmetry of Skeletal Muscle Diffusion MRI In Vivo Signal. Ann Biomed Eng 37, 2532–2546 (2009).
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