Development of a Novel Anisotrophic Tissue Expander for Non-Keratinized Epithelial Tissue

Applications are invited to join the University of Nottingham BBSRC iCASE Studentship to undertake an innovative four-year PhD training programme to work on a specific project.

Hydrogel tissue expanders for keratinized epithelial tissue have successfully made the transition from bench to bedside, for example, as an adjunct to surgical resection and treatment of cleft palate. However, for other non-keratinised epithelial tissue such as the squamous and stratified tissue of the uro-genital tract there are specific difficulties with appropriate tissue expansion. This project aims to develop and test a novel anisotrophic tissue expander for non-keratinized epithelial tissue. This is primarily a laboratory based project which will develop skills in molecular biology (e.g. RNAseq,), microbiology (e.g. metagenomics), histopathology (e.g. immunohistochemistry) and bioinformatics. There will be an opportunity for the applicant to obtain a Home Office personal licence and learn in vivo skills.

In addition, the applicant will be expected to spend some time (2-3 months) in the laboratories of an industrial partner based near Oxford, UK. The applicant will need to embrace learning new laboratory techniques and collaborating with scientists from other disciplines.

Applications are invited from students who have/expect to graduate with a first/upper-second UK honours degree, or equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK. Students with an appropriate Masters degree or veterinary/medical degree are particularly encouraged to apply.

Closing Date for Applications is deadline is 30th April 2017.

Further information and how to apply can be found at https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/bbdtp/icase-studentships/icase-studentships.aspx