Mathematical modelling of macromolecular capillary permeability

Mathematical modelling of macromolecular capillary permeability
Modelling and Analytics for Medicine and Life sciences Doctoral Training Centre: PhD Scholarship

Supervisors: Dr Kenton Arkill (Medicine), Dr Reuben O’Dea (Maths), Professor David Bates (Medicine), Dr Matthew Hubbard (Maths)

Project description: The primary function of blood vessels is to transport molecules to tissues. In diseases such as cancer and diabetes this transport, particularly of large molecules such as albumin, can be an order of magnitude higher than normal.

The project is to model transient flow of macromolecules across the vascular wall in physiology and pathology. The doctoral student will join a team that includes medical researchers, biophysicists and mathematicians acquiring structural and functional data.

Detailed microscale models of vascular wall hydrodynamics and transport properties will be employed; in addition, powerful multiscale homogenisation techniques will be exploited that enable permeability and convection parameters on the nanoscale to be linked through the microscale into translatable information on the tissue scale. Computational simulations will be used to investigate and understand the model behaviour, including, for example, stochastic and multiphysics effects in the complex diffusion-convection nanoscale environment. The project will afford a great opportunity to form an information triangle where modelling outcomes will determine physiological experiments to feedback to the model. Furthermore, the primary results will inform medical researchers on potential molecular therapeutic targets.

The MAML programme: The MAML doctoral training programme focuses on innovative modelling, simulation and data analysis to study real-world problems in medicine and biology. Maintaining a healthy society creates major challenges in areas including ageing, cancer, drug resistance, chronic disease and mental health. Addressing such challenges necessitates continuing development and implementation of a raft of new mathematical approaches and their integration with experimental and clinical science. Students will apply mathematical approaches (from areas such as dynamic modelling, informatics, network theory, scientific computation and uncertainty quantification) to research projects at the forefront of biomedical and life sciences identified through well-established collaborations with both academic and industrial partners.

MAML students will be provided with an excellent training environment within the Centre for Mathematical Medicine and Biology and collaborating departments. Students will undertake tailored training, complemented by broadening, soft-skills, wet-lab (where appropriate) and student-led activities. There will also be opportunities for training and exchanges with world-leading partners.

Summary: These 3.5 year PhD scholarships start in September 2018. Successful applicants will receive a stipend (£14,553 per annum for 2017/8) for up to 3.5 years, tuition fees and a Research Training Support Grant. Fully funded studentships are available for UK applicants. EU applicants who are able to confirm that they have been resident in the UK for a minimum of 3 years prior to the start date of the programme may be eligible for a full award, and may apply for a fees-only award otherwise

Applications: Please follow the instructions at the MAML website: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/mathematics/maml Applicants for the MAML programme should have at least a 2:1 degree in mathematics, statistics or a similarly quantitative discipline (such as physics, engineering, or computer science).

Completed applications and references should be submitted by Wednesday 28 February 2018.


For any enquiries please email: [Email Address Removed]