The first-of-its-kind dual award PhD programme in Synthetic and Systems Biology brings together two globally-renowned institutions at the forefront of research in this area: the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology (MIB) at The University of Manchester, and the Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology (CSSB) at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China.
You will spend two years at The University of Manchester and two years at Tsinghua University, with supervisors in both locations. You'll then follow one of three possible pathways, flexible to suit your research needs. You'll be required to submit a single thesis in English within four years of the registration date, and your final viva examination will take place in either Manchester or Tsinghua. At the end of the four-year full-time programme, you'll receive a dual PhD, one award and two certificates.
Project Description
Recently, bioinspired and bionic design strategies have been developed to design implanted neural sensors for brain-machine interfaces by developing stimuli-responsive material with dynamic stiffness. However, implementing these bioinspired concepts in neural interfacing is facing great technical challenges that the structural and mechanical features of the neural sensors do not match those of cells, which can lead to disruption of the native tissue and induce negative impacts on the capability to stably interrogate and modulate natural physiological activity over time. Therefore, we hypothesize that the performance and biocompatibility of biosensors can be significantly enhanced by mimicking the natural structure and working principle of tissue neuron cells using advanced 2D materials and fibre spinning technologies. To validate this hypothesis, we will carry research to complete the objectives listed below:
· To identify the critical challenges in designing and fabricating biosensors for human-machines interface applications.
· To develop scientific understanding on neuron-base biosensors in human tissues and organs for establishing engineering principles of fabricating neuron-like fibrous biosensors.
· To establish a new bio-integration strategy for fabricating neuro-like fibrous biosensors and facilitating multiplex detection of bioanalyses.
· To characterize the structural features and biological functional performances of neuron-like fibrous biosensors and study their relationships.
To explore the potential of healthcare and human-machine interface applications of neuron-like fibrous biosensors.
https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/researchers/yi-li(b0674bfa-b07c-4900-b7e0-e1ea7bebee71).html
https://www.med.tsinghua.edu.cn/info/1083/2067.htm
https://daigroup.org/
Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities. We know that diversity strengthens our research community, leading to enhanced research creativity, productivity and quality, and societal and economic impact. We actively encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds and from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status.
All appointments are made on merit.
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