Smart Therapeutic Hydrogels for Musculoskeletal Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine

Materials and Structures Research Center within the Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Bath has an exciting multidisciplinary PhD opportunity.

Aging, trauma and diseases can cause permanent tissue damage that results in serious healthcare problems. Since specific tissues such as cartilage have limited capabilities in terms of healing and recovery, their repair to restore the original functionality remains one of the most challenging issues of musculoskeletal medicine.

This problem can be addressed in tissue engineering via culturing a populations of required cells within a scaffolding material which can be placed in the damaged region in order to promote tissue regrowth. The tissue regeneration process can be facilitated by embedding piezoelectrically active nano-particles within the scaffold. Hydrogels offer an ideal material where cells are suspended in a liquid precursor solution that is injected to the site of interest and cured in situ.

Hydrogels are polymeric networks based on hydrophilic macromonomers that are able to retain large amounts of water. They exhibit excellent biocompatibility and their mechanical properties can be designed to match those of many soft biological tissues. Furthermore, their soft nature minimizes inflammatory reactions of the surrounding cells and tissues.

The aim of this project is to develop electro-magneto-acoustic hydrogel scaffolds containing therapeutic medicines that can be delivered in a controlled manner. Not only is the smart hydrogel suitable to act as a carrier for cells which are key components for regenerative medicine, but also can control the time and manner regarding medicine delivery inside human body due to their light, temperature and sound sensitive functions.

This research has a strong multidisciplinary nature. The student is expected to collaborate with project partners from different areas of chemistry, materials science, cell biology as well as biomechanics.

Candidates are expected to have a Master-level First Class degree and/or MSc Distinction, or an internationally recognised equivalent. English language requirements must be met at the time of the application.

For application purposes please upload a copy of your qualifications (transcript and certificate if already obtained), as well as an English translation if these documents are not in English. This position will be available for starting in October 2018. Candidates are encouraged to contact the supervisor as soon as possible ([Email Address Removed]).