Manufacturing a functional human organ requires the ability to produce highly complex 3D multi-vascular networks with high spatial resolution for transport, as well as the ability to incorporate spatial patterning of a multitude of matrix compositions and cell types within the entire volume of the printed scaffold to deliver localized tissue-specific physiological function. The former has been addressed extensively in prior work by Dr Heidari and colleagues with the use of light-based additive processes utilizing spatial light modulators and volumetric photo-patterning of photo-responsive gels.
In the proposed project, we will develop a biomanufacturing system to produce large volumes of vascularized tissue in extremely soft and deformable hydrogels using light. You will use an array of photo-activated biopolymers customized for our endothelial cell lines of interest to develop this solution. Volumetric additive manufacturing (VAM) is a revolutionary approach allowing us to utilize light in manufacturing human tissues in a contact-free fashion. You will develop these tissue models for in vitro therapeutic screening platforms, mini-organ replicas, and ambitious large-scale applications such as lab-based meat production. A background in either or multiple of the following areas is desirable: Cell biology, cell culture, 3D printing and AM, biomaterials, photochemistry, polymer engineering, and tissue engineering.
Research group: The Volumetric Biomodulation Lab (VBL) conducts world-leading research in the intersection of state-of-art light-based additive bioprinting technologies and predictive multi-scale in vitro models of human tissue. We focus on techniques to manufacture extreme tissue microenvironments with composite biopolymers to produce 3D models of human tissues and organs. Our work has resulted in numerous US patents and peer-reviewed publications, including papers in journals such as Science, Bioprinting, Biomicrofluidics and Electrophoresis, has been funded by UC Berkeley, SPIE, BASF and CHEMINAS, and has been featured in the Washington Post, the Guardian, Nature, Science and MIT Tech Review.
Funding
The studentship arrangement will cover home tuition fees and provide an annual stipend for up to 3 years (set at £20,622 for 2023/24).
Eligibility
- Available to applicants with UK Home Fee Status and international applicants if willing to make up the difference in fees between home and international rates. (See: http://www.welfare.qmul.ac.uk/money/feestatus/ for details of UK Home status)
- 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).
- Candidates are expected to start from October 2023
Supervisor Contact Details:
For informal enquiries about this position, please contact Dr Hossein Heidari, E-mail: [Email Address Removed]
Further Guidance: http://www.qmul.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/
Application Method
Apply for this studentship and for entry on the PhD Medical Engineering full-time programme (Semester 1 / September start)
Please be sure to include a reference to SEMS-PHDS-513 to associate your application with this studentship opportunity.
Website: http://www.qmul.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/subjects/engineering.html
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