Prof J Richardson
No more applications being accepted
Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)
About the Project
Applications are invited for a PhD studentship in cartilage regeneration funded by and based at the Institute of Orthopaedics, Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital, Oswestry which is part of the Institute for Science & Technology in Medicine (ISTM) at Keele University. The world-leading research environment in ISTM was evidenced by the Research Excellence Framework (REF) awarding scores of 87.5% and 100% in top ratings 4* and 3* in 2014.
Cartilage cell therapy was first introduced over twenty years ago to treat isolated defects of articular cartilage in the knees which if left untreated are likely to progress to osteoarthritis. Our centre at Oswestry has been at the forefront of cell therapy in orthopaedics since its inception establishing the UK’s first Good Manufacturing Practise (GMP) musculoskeletal cell therapy laboratory. Currently, there is an equal weight of evidence suggesting that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with or without other cell types are suitable for cartilage stem cell therapy. This project aims to investigate the cartilage produced by chondrocytes and MSCs in a co-culture system. We and others have observed that some patients presenting with cartilage damage have associated bone injury and/or inflamed subchondral bone. This project aims to investigate the impact of bone health on cartilage repair and compare these data with symptoms. Further we know that loading influences cartilage and bone turnover hence this project aims to investigate patient activity levels and quality of repair.
This project aims to:-
• investigate the cartilage produced by chondrocytes and MSCs in a co-culture system.
• investigate the impact of bone health on cartilage repair and compare these data with symptoms.
• investigate patient activity levels and quality of repair of cartilage and bone.
Additional background about research institutes at Keele is available at:
http://www.keele.ac.uk/research/
Please include the project ID on your application - ISTM 2015-3.
Funding Notes
Three years’ full time stipend paid at current Research Council rate (2016-17, £14,296)
Three years full time fees paid at current UK/EU rates
International, UK and EU students are welcome to apply. Fees provided at EU rates only, Non-EU students would be required to pay the additional overseas fees themselves. Fees will only be paid for three years full time.
References
SMITH HJ, RICHARDSON JB, & TENNANT A
Modification and validation of the Lysholm Knee Scale to assess articular cartilage damage.
Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. 2009; 17 (1): 53-58
SMITH G, RICHARDSON J, BRITTBERG M, ERGGELET C, VERDONK R, KNUTSEN G, ASHTON BA, ASHTON IK, HARRISON PH
Autologous chondrocyte implantation and osteochondral cylinder transplantation in cartilage repair of the knee joint
Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery. 2003; 85A: 2487.
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