Systems Modelling of the Coagulation Cascade: Developing a Definitive Mathematical Model of the Coagulation Cascade

The aims of this project are to develop a definitive mathematical model of the coagulation cascade, validate the models against experimental data describing coagulation profiles in both healthy individuals and patients with cardiovascular disease and utilise the models to furnish understanding of the key drivers of the differences seen in the data to provide insights to therapeutic markers.

The coagulation cascade is a complex network of protein reactions that is central to the formation of blood clots. While clots are essential to prevent bleeding when formed inappropriately they can lead to heart attacks and strokes. The assessment of coagulation is key in diagnosing thrombotic conditions but routine assays do not presently correlate with an individual’s risk of thrombosis.

This project presents an outstanding opportunity for mechanistic modelling. While mathematical modelling of the coagulation cascade is an established field, these models have not been validated against patient-specific data and do not incorporate involvement of cellular components of the blood that can support or inhibit the coagulation cascade.

The project will provide training in mathematical modelling of complex datasets and give some experience of the laboratory measurements required to generate the data. It will involve a combination of numerical and asymptotic approaches, deterministic frameworks and the use of stochastic methods to capture inter-patient variability. To these ends, the student will receive training in advanced mathematical methods (Nottingham) and gain familiarity with the underlying biology (Leicester).

Summary: UK students - Tuition Fees paid, and full Stipend at the RCUK rate, which is £14,296 per annum for 2016/17. EU students – Tuition fees only. There will also be some support available for you to claim for limited conference attendance. The scholarship length will be 3.5 years.