MECHENG-BIO-408: Ultrafast imaging of cell-nanobubble interactions for bone repair

Acoustic bubbles can be loaded with drugs and resonate when excited by ultrasound. This property allows us to research their use in medicine – for example, we think that ultrasound from outside the body can be used to stimulate bubbles to release drugs to the right cells at the right time. However, to fully take advantage of this technology, we need a better understanding of the interactions between bubbles and cells. Ultrafast imaging offers us this opportunity.

During this PhD you will develop microscopy techniques to image ultrafast oscillations of bubbles. You will image bubbles under ultrasound stimulation at a frame rate of up to 10 million frames per second. You will track the interactions of bubbles with bone cells using this technique, and determine how drugs are released in proximity to cells.

You will work in a vibrant, multidisciplinary team between the Faculties of Medicine and Engineering at the University. You need to have at least a 2:1 or equivalent and ideally you will have a background in physics or engineering, but we encourage applications from talented individuals with backgrounds in the natural sciences.

The studentship will be funded at the current Research Council stipend rate.

If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact Nicholas Evans or Dario Carugo, Bioengineering research group, Email: [Email Address Removed] or [Email Address Removed]