Cellular and molecular imaging investigation of varicose vein treatments in patients and the development of better therapies

Varicose veins affect up to 35-40% of adults in developed countries. They are associated with significant skin damage, pain, ulceration and potential thrombosis. Sclerotherapy, foam sclerotherapies, laser therapy and other therapies have been wildly used for treating varicose veins. However, the fundamental mechanisms of their actions have not been fully characterised. There is therefore significant scope for researching to discover and compare the mechanisms of these therapies on cell death and vein wall restructuring to improve clinical outcome and develop novel therapies.

The aim of this PhD research project is to work with both academic (at Reading University) and clinical supervisors and others (i.e. surgeons, nurses and research manager at the Whiteley Clinic, in Guildford) to investigate and characterise pathophysiology and structural changes in the venous wall i.e. the endothelium, the media and the adventitia and the extracellular matrix with and without treatment using post-operational samples collected from the clinic.

The studentship will involve some travel between the University of Reading and the Whiteley Clinic, Guildford. The student will be engaged in the application of NHS ethical approval, will gain research skills, attend PhD training courses organised by the University of Reading Graduate School and will have opportunities to present research results at national and international conferences.

The project will be supervised by Professor Jian-Mei Li at the University of Reading and Professor Mark Whiteley, Lead Consultant, Whiteley Clinic, Guildford.

Eligibility:

• The studentship is open to applications from UK/EU candidates
• Minimum 2:1 Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant subject required plus an interest in medical science
• The candidate should have good interpersonal communication skills