Addressing unmet clinical needs in the repair and rehabilitation of non-union fractures (SL4UF2019)

A non-union is a broken bone that fails to heal. These result from both civilian and military injuries and lead to pain, suffering and loss of dignity. Recent study (Geris et al 2010) suggested that mechanical, chemical and biological factors should all be present at the right time and right place in order for fractures to unite successfully. However, the exact mechanisms which disrupt this process, resulting in non-union, are still largely unknown, especially at the micro and tissue levels. Therefore, understanding the regulatory factors and mechanisms that result in ossification and remodelling of the haematoma/callus at different length-scales following a fracture could help to unlock new strategies to treat non-union. It is well known that mechanical stimuli alter the local stress/strain conditions at the fracture site and affect both angiogenesis and osteogenesis. Yet, the underpinning mechanisms which regulate tissue angiogenesis and the subsequent mineralisation process and how these processes interact to promote, or inhibit tissue ossification are still not known.

In this project, the successful candidate will be able to join a multi-disciplinary research team including leading engineers and clinicians within the UNIFY network to help the development of a novel in silico model to predict spatio-temporal evolutions of fracture union processes considering material heterogeneity and biomechanical regulatory factors. It is expected that the candidate will participate in international research collaboration with partners in Ireland, Switzerland, USA and Australia.

Start date: 1 April, 1 July or 1 October 2020.
Entry requirements:
Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent) in engineering, physics, applied mathematics or a related subject. A relevant Master’s degree and/or experience in one or more of the following will be an advantage:
• Mechanical engineering
• Biomechanical engineering
• Solid mechanics
• Applied mathematics
• Physics
How to apply:
All applications are made online, please select the school/department name under the programme name section and include the quote reference number.

https://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/apply/research-applications/