Dovetailing MRI and in vivo physiology to improve understanding of muscle damage and fibrosis in humans after injury

This project will develop novel Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) measures to study skeletal muscle, with the aim of replacing muscle biopsies. Biopsy of skeletal muscle is currently used to study a variety of muscle disorders, however this is invasive and impractical in many settings, particularly in recovering trauma patients. The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a key component of skeletal muscle, but muscle fibrosis (scarring) involves excessive accumulation of ECM. This tissue limits cells’ migration, and changes in tissue biomechanical properties. The PhD student will develop and evaluate unique quantitative chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) and sodium MRI measures using 7T Magnetic Resonance, to study fibrosis in skeletal muscle. This will involve developing methods of measuring and analysing CEST and sodium MRI signals, and then using them to characterise ECM in a muscle damage model in healthy volunteers. These methods will then be used to study muscle regeneration after injury in the clinical setting to detect alterations in muscle fibrosis in disease. This exciting project will allow the student to work in a vibrant, multidisciplinary research team and develop their skills, knowledge and expertise in MR physics, image and data processing, physiology, clinical inflammatory conditions, teamwork, research methods and communication.