Core-Shell Silk Nanoparticles for Targeted Drug Delivery

Silk is a protein fibre produced by silkworm. Extensive research has been carried out to explore the regenerated silk fibroin (RSF) as biomaterials such as tissue culture scaffolds, wound covering materials, and cosmetic components for their impressive biocompatibility and biodegradability. This PhD project is to engineer RSF nanocarriers with magnetic nanoparticles/near-infrared dyes such as Ce6, ICG inside for drug and gene delivery. The student will be trained to use modern techniques such as AFM, SEM, TEM, FTIR, Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), CD spectroscopy, Flow Cytometry, Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM) to fabricate the nanoparticles and characterize their properties. Biomarker will be conjugated onto the nanoparticles for cell targeting. A combination of relevant cell assays will also be carried out to evaluate the biocompatibility, degradability and biological functions of the fabricated nanoparticles. 

Please see this link for information on how to apply: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/cbe/postgraduate/phd/how-apply. Please include the name of your proposed supervisor and the title of the PhD project within your application.

Candidates should have a 1st class or 2.1 degree or MSc (merit or distinction) in chemistry, materials, pharmacy, biotechnology, bioengineering, biomedical engineering, chemical engineering or a related discipline. If English is not your first language then you must have an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) average of 6.5 or above with at least 6.0 in each component, or equivalent. Please see this link for further information: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/postgraduate/phd/apply/english-language.