Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health

The University of Manchester

This project is no longer listed on FindAPhD.com and may not be available.

Click here to search FindAPhD.com for PhD studentship opportunities

  Ambulatory monitoring of Raynaud’s phenomenon and systemic sclerosis associated microcirculation

  Dr A Murray, Dr M Dickinson  Applications accepted all year round  Self-Funded PhD Students Only

About the Project

Systemic sclerosis (SSc), a microvascular autoimmune disease, causes damage to the small blood vessels (microvasculature). Although rare it has the highest mortality of all rheumatological conditions and causes significant morbidity. There is currently no cure. Greater understanding of the disease is necessary; novel techniques that provide biomarkers to elucidate the disease process, allow measurement of disease severity and become outcome measures in clinical trials are required.

The aim of this project is to investigate two non-invasive, ambulatory monitoring techniques; thermography and nailfold capillaroscopy.

Thermography, a technique to measure (skin) temperature, will be used to assess skin blood flow of the hands. Measurement of decreased blood flow (ischaemia) in SSc, due to the microvascular dysfunction, may allow assessment of changes in severity of SSc with time.

Nailfold capillaroscopy is a microscopic technique which allows observation of small blood vessels (capillaries) in the finger. In SSc the structure of the capillaries is characteristically altered, changing with time. Longitudinal home monitoring of these capillaries with time would potentially increase our understanding of how SSc-related changes occur.

Training will be given on working on patient facing studies, the imaging techniques and analysing images. These techniques will then be applied in a cohort of early and later phase SSc patients at baseline and over a period of 18 months in order to assess longitudinal change. Data analysis will be performed to determine the cross sectional and temporal relationships between the parameters from each technique to disease duration and other clinical markers, thereby elucidating the pathogenesis of the condition.

This study may identify new relationships in the pathophysiology of SSc. It is expected that the project will lead to a number of high-profile publications and lay the foundations for the use of multi-modality imaging in future therapeutic trials and, ultimately, in SSc patient care.

Entry Requirements

Candidates are expected to hold (or be about to obtain) a minimum upper second class honours degree (or equivalent) in physics or a suitably related area / subject.  Candidates with experience in medical imaging are encouraged to apply.

How To Apply

For information on how to apply for this project, please visit the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health Doctoral Academy website (https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/research/apply/). Informal enquiries may be made directly to the primary supervisor. On the online application form select the appropriate subject title.

For international students, we also offer a unique 4 year PhD programme that gives you the opportunity to undertake an accredited Teaching Certificate whilst carrying out an independent research project across a range of biological, medical and health sciences.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities. The full Equality, diversity and inclusion statement can be found on the website https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/research/apply/equality-diversity-inclusion/”

Biological Sciences (4) Mathematics (25) Physics (29)

Funding Notes

Applications are invited from self-funded students. This project has a Band 2 fee. Details of our different fee bands can be found on our website (https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/research/fees/).

Where will I study?

Search Suggestions
Search suggestions

Based on your current searches we recommend the following search filters.

Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health

Tackle real world challenges, make a difference, and elevate your career with postgraduate research in the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health at Manchester. From biochemistry to neuroscience, cancer sciences to medicine, audiology to mental health and everything in between, we offer a wide range of postgraduate research projects, programmes and funding which will allow you to immerse yourself in an area of research you’re passionate about.

Why study at Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health?

Ranked the best place to live in the UK (The Economist Global Liveability Index, 2022), Manchester boasts world-class culture, iconic sports, a thriving music and food scene, and much more. It's not just a place to research, it's a place to call home.

Experience PhD life as part of a diverse postgraduate research community of more than 1,000 postgraduate researchers at the 29th most international university in the world (Times Higher Education, 2023).

With 93% of research activity at the University rated as 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent' (Research Excellence Framework, 2021), you'll get the chance to have an impact on global health and science challenges.

1000+

postgraduate students

93

PhDs

6

ranked in UK - QS (2025)

Manchester  United Kingdom

main campus

About Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health

At Manchester, postgraduate researchers are at the heart of our mission to tackle pressing global challenges in biological, medical and healthcare sciences - and you could be too.

By choosing Manchester for your postgraduate research, you’ll be joining a university with an exceptional research reputation, where 93% of research is world-leading or internationally excellent (REF, 2021) and where your work will have real-world impact.

You’ll research in world-class facilities alongside leading experts at the forefront of innovation, collaborating across disciplines to pioneer new treatments, advance scientific knowledge, and improve healthcare globally.

Supported by our dedicated Doctoral Academy and strong industry links, you'll experience PhD life in a vibrant, welcoming and diverse postgraduate research community.

And you’ll leave with the specialist knowledge, research experience and transferable skills that will shape your future in academia, research or industry.


Main campus

The University of Manchester

Manchester

North West

United Kingdom

PhD saved sucessfully

(MB-PhD) Gene regulatory networks driving metastatic progression in oesophageal adenocarcinoma

Oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC) incidence is increasing and yet survival rates remain very poor. There are limited treatment options, especially for metastatic disease, which is especially problematic as patients usually present with late stage disease. Read more
More details

(MB-PhD) MYST Histone Acetyltransferases as Therapeutic Targets in Acute Myeloid Leukaemia

Cytotoxic chemotherapy has been the standard of care for treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) for the last 50 years. Unfortunately, more often than not, it fails to cure patients, and the 5 years survival rate for all-comers with AML is only around 20%. Read more
More details

(MB-PhD)Immunomodulation in multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma is a devastating B-cell malignancy for which there is no cure. The development of immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) has proved transformative to multiple myeloma care, however, their remain unanswered questions related to the mechanism of action of this important drug class. Read more
More details

A novel role in mitochondrial homeostasis for the anti-ageing factor RBBP5

The mitochondrion has evolved from the endosymbiotic interaction of an alpha-proteobacterium and an archaeon. One major event during this evolution was the transferring of genes from the symbiont to the host. Read more
More details