About the Project
The Bio Micro Mechanics (BMM) Lab at the Department of Bioengineering of Imperial College is seeking a PhD candidate to explore the role of cell and tissue biomechanics in cancer.
90% of cancer associated deaths are a result of metastasis, a sequence of discrete events in which tumour cells escape primary tumours, use the cardiovascular & lymphatic systems as ‘highways’ to reach distant organs, where they grow into secondary tumours. Although the danger of metastasis is well known, we have a poor understanding of the mechanisms responsible for many steps in the metastatic cascade because observing & modifying cancer cell behaviours in animals is difficult. To overcome this challenge, we use microfluidics devices (platforms fabricated with micron-scale features for handling nano-scale volumes of fluids that are typically coated with living cells) as physical models of organ systems such as the microcirculation.
These organ-on-chip platforms are transparent and have mechanical and fluid environments that can be precisely tuned and manipulated making them ideal tools for studying microscale biomechanics. We study the interactions of mechanics (fluids, forces and pressures) and cancer biology (cellular composition/function, gene expression, omics) within these organ-on-chip platforms to develop a better understanding of the biomechanical mechanisms responsible for metastasis. These findings will be used to develop novel therapies to sabotage key steps of the metastatic cascade.
Many aspects of this project are based on new findings on the behaviour of circulating tumour cells in circulation, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences: http://www.pnas.org/content/113/18/4947.full
After completion of the PhD, the successful candidate will be well equipped for in-demand careers within academia or industry with many of the following skills: cell & tissue culture, cancer biology, organ-on-a-chip, drug screening, cleanroom microfabrication, computer-assisted design, statistical analysis, computational modeling, scientific writing/presentation skills and project management.
To find out more about the lab and our research goals please visit us at http://biomicrotech.science/
Eligible candidates should be independently motivated, have good oral/written communication abilities, work well in teams and have obtained a master’s (merit or distinction) or bachelor’s (2.1 or first class) degree in engineering, natural sciences or other relevant field. Laboratory experience and proficiency in biophysics, microfluidics/MEMS, cancer biology or computational simulations are highly desired.
Funding Notes
This PhD student position in the Department of Bioengineering at Imperial College London is fully funded for both EU and UK candidates (3-years at RCUK rate of £16,553 for 2017-18). The anticipated start date: October-December 2017. Overseas students may be considered if alternative funding can be secured.
How to Apply: Applicants should send a single PDF document including a one-page cover letter discussing research interest and experiences, a CV and contact information of two professional/academic references to Dr. Sam Au ([Email Address Removed]). Initial deadline is July 17, 2017, but applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
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