About the Project
Pre-term premature rupture of the fetal membrane (PPROM) is a major cause of preterm birth and accounts for 40% of early infant death with NHS costs £3 billion annually. Factors such as uterine stretch, contractions, blood or infection lead to spontaneous PPROM. Membrane rupture also occurs frequently after clinical procedures such as amniocentesis where sampling of the amniotic fluid is used for prenatal diagnosis. Increasingly, fetal surgery is being performed to treat congenital fetal disease, and in up to 30% of fetoscopy cases, the amniotic membrane (AM) separates from the uterine wall leading to PPROM. The AM has poor healing capacity making attempts to seal the defect with glues or decellularised collagen plugs clinically ineffective. There are no clinical solutions to improve healing of the membranes after surgery or after it ruptures spontaneously.
Our research has found a reason for this poor healing (Barrett DW et al., Prenat Diagn 2016;36(10):942-52). Repeated stretching of the amniotic membrane, similar to the mechanical forces that occur in preterm labour, increases the levels of a protein called connexin 43 (Cx43) and prostaglandins, representing important inflammatory factors causing PPROM. We have shown that Cx43 delays healing in the amniotic membrane (Barret DW et al., Prenat Diagn 2017;37(9):899-906). To encourage repair, we are developing biomaterials that can rebuild the 3D environment with collagen and elastin. We plan to integrate these biomaterials with antisense therapeutics that reduce Cx43, enabling tissue repair.
The project will develop a new intervention that will help to delay delivery and avoid premature birth. We will utilise both human and animal models for testing therapies for healing the fetal membranes following fetoscopic surgery with analysis involving mechanical, biochemical and molecular biology techniques. The RoseTrees Trust is supporting costs for consumables.
Our research on healing the fetal membranes has received press coverage by the BBC World Health News (https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3csty7m), the ABC Science Show (http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/scienceshow/new-approach-to-avoid-pre-term-births/8975468), the British Science Association
(https://www.britishscienceassociation.org/news/bioengineering-to-repair-fetal-membranes-and-reduce-preterm-births) and Little heartbeats (http://www.little-heartbeats.org.uk/pprom-research).
The PhD student will work closely with a multi-disciplinary team involving clinicians (Prof Anna David, UCLH, Prof Jan Deprest, Leuven and UCL), material scientists (Prof Alvaro Mata, QMUL) and biologists (Prof David Becker, Singapore, Dr David Barrett, QMUL). Prof David Becker holds several patents with CoDa Therapeutics for the Cx43 antisense technology and this company will support the proposed work to demonstrate efficacy.
QMUL Research Studentship Details:
Available to Home/EU applicants.
Full Time programme only.
Applicant required to start in Late September/October 2018.
The studentship arrangement will cover tuition fees and provide an annual stipend for up to three years (Currently set as £16,553 in 2017/18).
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 then you will require a valid English certificate equivalent to IELTS 6.5+ overall with a minimum score of 6 in Writing 5.5 in all sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking).
Supervisor Contact Details:
For informal enquiries about this position, please contact Dr Tina Chowdhury
Tel: 020 7882 7560
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:
Research degrees in Engineering:
http://www.qmul.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/subjects/engineering.html
Further Guidance: http://www.qmul.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/
Please be sure to include a reference to ‘2018 SEMS QMRSTTC’ to associate your application with this studentship opportunity.