SWBio DTP: Dynamic subcellular analysis of novel integrative biomaterials

This project is one of a number that are in competition for funding from the South West Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership (SWBio DTP).

The SWBio DTP is funded by BBSRC and involves a partnership of world-renowned universities, research institutes and industry, based mainly across the South West and Wales. This partnership has established international, national and regional scientific networks, and widely recognised research excellence and facilities.

Studentships are available for entry in September 2025.

All SWBio DTP projects will follow a structured training programme to ensure you are well equipped as a bioscience researcher, supporting careers into academia, industry and beyond.

Supervisory Team:

Lead supervisor: Dr. Nazia Mehrban, University of Bath, Department of Life Sciences (email: nm2051@bath.ac.uk)

Co-supervisors: Prof. Paul Verkade (University of Bristol Biochemistry) and Dr. Soraya Caixeiro (University of Bath Physics)

The Project:

Technological development and our improved understanding of native human tissue repair has led to innovative solutions to address clinical challenges, such as the repair of damaged and diseased tissues. Smart implantable biomaterials seamlessly integrate with healthy tissue in the body by emulating the chemistry and architecture of the internal environment. We have previously shown that careful control of chemistry and architecture enables control of cell behaviour and promotes functional repair. Here we aim to dive deeper- understand the subcellular events promoted by our novel smart biomaterials, as well as behaviour and fate of individual cells over time thus allowing us to build complex systems that can be tailored to different clinical scenarios.

Our de novo peptide-based system is designed to mimic extracellular matrix chemistry and architecture, allowing us to form cell compatible 3-dimensional (3D) hydrogels. By strategically incorporating cell-interacting cues we have been able to promote an environment that not only fosters an anti-inflammatory response but facilitates the restructuring of the cellular milieu for effective wound repair. Diving deeper into the cellular mechanisms that promote these events allows us to refine the biomaterial design and create a toolbox of material properties which we can mix and match to promote the repair and regeneration of different types of soft tissues. This project will use state-of-the-art biointegrated microlaser microscopy and correlative multimodal imaging approaches to track and quantify cellular events such as motility, attachment, myogenic fibre formation and contractile phenotype at different scales. Microlasers will enable single-cell tagging and tracking in 3D hydrogel matrices while preserving their sensitivity to intracellular cues, such as contractility. Correlative volume electron microscopy will deepen our understanding by connecting multiplexed cell tracking with organellar-scale biochemistry of our unique peptide biomaterials.

This cross-disciplinary project encompassing material science, microscopy, nanofabrication, cell biology and biophysics, has far-reaching implications for healthcare, establishing new methods that drive the design and characterisation of advanced materials towards a more successful biological outcome. This offers a powerful, time-efficient, route for developing material-cell profiles, reducing chronic inflammation, patient discomfort, healthcare costs and implant rejection.

Keywords: Biomaterials, Peptides, Microlaser Cell Tracking, Correlative Multimodal Imaging, Volume EM

Candidate Requirements:

Applicants should have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree (or international equivalent), in an appropriate area of science or technology. Applicants with a Lower Second Class degree will be considered if they also have Master’s degree or have significant relevant non-academic experience.

In addition, due to the strong mathematical component of the taught course in the first year and the quantitative emphasis in our projects, a minimum of a grade B in A-level Maths or an equivalent qualification/experience* is required.

*Physics A-level (grade B and above) or units in your degree with a significant mathematical component, e.g. maths, statistics, bioinformatics.

Applicants must ensure they highlight their Maths background within their application and to upload any supporting evidence.

If English is not your first language, you will need to have achieved Academic IELTS 6.5 overall (with no less than 6.5 in any of the four skills). Find details of other acceptable tests and further information on our website.

Enquiries and Applications:

Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to the lead supervisor

Formal applications should be submitted on the University of Bath’s online application form for a PhD in Biosciences.

When completing the application form, please:

1.      In the Funding your studies section, select ‘SWBio DTP’ as the studentship for which you are applying.

2.      In the Your PhD project section, quote the project title of this project and the name of the lead supervisor in the appropriate boxes. 

3.      Should you wish to apply for more than one project at Bath (up to a maximum of two projects), you may do so within the same application but you should ensure you quote each project title (and intended supervisors) in order or preference in the appropriate boxes within the Your PhD project section and, IMPORTANTLY, you should upload a separate (clearly labelled) personal statement for each one, outlining your interest and suitability for that particular project.

See our website for more information about applying for a PhD at Bath.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:

The aim of the SWBio DTP is to support students from a range of backgrounds and circumstances. Where needed, we will work with you to take into consideration reasonable project adaptations (for example to support caring responsibilities, disabilities, other significant personal circumstances) as well as flexible working and part-time study requests, to enable greater access to a PhD.  All our supervisors support us with this aim, so please feel comfortable in discussing further with the listed PhD project supervisor to see what is feasible. 

If you have circumstances that you feel we should be aware of that have affected your educational attainment, then please feel free to tell us about it in your application form. The best way to do this is a short paragraph at the end of your personal statement.