Nanotechnology Strategies for Cardiovascular Investigations

PhD Studentship: Nanotechnology Strategies for Cardiovascular Investigations

Project Details:

Cardiovascular diseases are the major cause of mortality worldwide, yet there is still a lack of effective treatments. Recent research increasingly emphasised that disease related changes to the organisation of the extracellular matrix (ECM; e.g. collagen, fibronectin or laminin) fibre networks, surrounding the cardiovascular cells (e.g. vascular smooth muscle cells; VSMCs), will lead to changes, both in stiffness and nanometre-scale organisation of the cell binding sites. Together, these factors adversely affect the cells function and disease progression. So far both stiffness sensing and the role of nanometre scale ligand organisation have been studied individually, but to identify new therapeutic approaches, novel tools are needed that enable the study of both factors in combination.

This collaborative project between the Thomas Iskratsch and Matteo Palma groups at Queen Mary University of London and Heidelberg Nano AG will develop bioengineering and biochemical strategies for the fabrication of novel biomimetic nanoarrays (here: bionanoarrays) with tuneable stiffness. The bionanoarrays will be employed for the study of VSMCs - ECM interactions as a driver for cardiovascular disease progression (4).

We previously employed bionanoarrays for the study of adhesion formation and mechanosensing(1-3). The bionanoarrays are based on nanopatterned DNA origami that permit the multivalent investigation of ligand-receptor molecule interactions with nanoscale spatial resolution and single-molecule control. Using the NanoFrazor Explore thermal lithography tool we will now simultaneously control ECM stiffness and nanometre scale patterning of cell interaction sites. We expect the novel bionanoarrays to be of interest for a wide range of researchers and lead to new insights into cardiovascular disease progression.

Objectives:

1) Optimize patterning of TC resist with the NanoFrazor using heated tip and laser patterning to identify optimal patterning conditions.

2) Develop patterning of the TC resist on underlying polymers of defined stiffness.

3) Fabricate bionanoarrays with tuneable stiffness. We will make nanoarrays with different cell-ligand organisation, as well as different underlying stiffness, which we will then use to study the effect on VSMCs behaviour

Group: Our research group (https://www.sems.qmul.ac.uk/staff/t.iskratsch) focuses on understanding how mechanical forces regulate cell behaviour especially in the cardiovascular system and the development of cardiovascular disease. We develop novel technologies to study the interaction of cells with their environment at different scales from single molecule resolution to tissue-level, in order to investigate fundamental biological signalling mechanisms and identify novel drug targets, or diagnostic biomarkers. This will project will be co-supervised by Prof Matteo Palma (https://www.qmul.ac.uk/spcs/staff/academics/profiles/matteopalma.html) at the School for Physical and Chemical Sciences.

The project will include a 2 month visit to Heidelberg Instruments Nano AG in Switzerland at the beginning of the project. A further optional visit of 1 month is possible later in the project.

Our research groups prioritize a healthy research culture, collaboration, and flexible work hours as needed. We will provide a personalised mentorship, including working towards different career choices following the PhD. We are also happy to discuss potential applications informally (see contact details below).

References:

1. W. Hawkes et al., Faraday Discuss (2019).

2. D. Huang, K. Patel, S. Perez-Garrido, J. F. Marshall, M. Palma, ACS Nano (2019).

3. W. Hawkes et al., Phil Trans R Soc B (2022).

4. P. Swiatlowska et al., Science Advances (2022).

PhD Research Studentship Details

• Available to Home applicants only.
• Applicant required to start in Sep 2023.
• The studentship arrangement will cover home tuition fees and provide an annual stipend for up to three years (Currently set for 2021/22 as £17,609).
• The minimum requirement for this studentship opportunity is a good Honours degree (minimum 2(i) honours or equivalent) or MSc/MRes in a relevant discipline.
• If English is not your first language you will require a valid English certificate equivalent to IELTS 6.5+ overall with a minimum score of 6.0 in Writing and 5.5 in all sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking).
• Please note that this studentship is only available to Home applicants. (See: http://www.welfare.qmul.ac.uk/money/feestatus/ for details)

Supervisor Contact Details:

For informal enquiries about this position, please contact Thomas Iskratsch

Tel: 020 7882 3674

E-mail: [Email Address Removed]

Application Method:

To apply for this studentship and for entry on to the Medical Engineering programme (Full Time) please follow the instructions detailed on the following webpage: https://www.sems.qmul.ac.uk/research/studentships/520/nanotechnology-strategies-for-cardiovascular-investigations

2. D. Huang, K. Patel, S. Perez-Garrido, J. F. Marshall, M. Palma, ACS Nano (2019).

3. W. Hawkes et al., Phil Trans R Soc B (2022).

4. P. Swiatlowska et al., Science Advances (2022).

PhD Research Studentship Details

• Available to Home applicants only.
• Applicant required to start in September 2023 (semester 1).
• The studentship arrangement will cover home tuition fees and provide an annual stipend for up to three years (Currently set 2022/23 stipend rate is £19,668 p.a.
• The minimum requirement for this studentship opportunity is a good Honours degree (minimum 2(i) honours or equivalent) or MSc/MRes in a relevant discipline.
• If English is not your first language you will require a valid English certificate equivalent to IELTS 6.5+ overall with a minimum score of 6.0 in Writing and 5.5 in all sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking).
• Please note that this studentship is only available to Home applicants. (See: http://www.welfare.qmul.ac.uk/money/feestatus/ for details)

Supervisor Contact Details:

For informal enquiries about this position, please contact Thomas Iskratsch

Tel: 020 7882 3674

E-mail: [Email Address Removed]

Application Method:

To apply for this studentship and for entry on to the Medical Engineering programme (Full Time) please follow the instructions detailed on the following webpage:

 https://www.sems.qmul.ac.uk/research/studentships/520/nanotechnology-strategies-for-cardiovascular-investigations