Assessing human immune cell interactions with endothelium under sheer stress conditions

The endothelium lining blood vessels is constantly exposed to shear stress due to blood flow. The field of vascular biology has recently recognised the importance of shear stress, as it influences endothelial cell morphology, phenotype and function. Consequently, we are developing a new fluidics system that provides controllable shear stress at the luminal surface of cultured endothelial cell monolayers. This new system will enable us to study how immune cells in the blood interact with and traverse endothelial structures in healthy and inflamed states, whilst under shear stress conditions representative of those encountered in vivo.

Consumables funding is available for this project however interested PhD applicants must be eligible for the University of Auckland PhD scholarship fund or alternative scholarships.