PhD Research Studentships

Development of mechanically enhanced osteogenic synthetic bone graft substitutes

Supervisor:	Karin HING
Apply by:	17 November 2017

Description

Building on the development of a range of inorganic synthetic bone graft biomaterials which support rapid bone regeneration and are now in global clinical use, we wish to investigate whether or not their hierarchical pore structure can be further optimised to provide a graft material with greater mechanical resistance but equivalent bioactivity.

The successful candidate would firstly produce samples of novel bone grafting granules and model strut surfaces with a systematically varied range of macro porosities (pores >50µm) and strut porosities (pores <20µm) before undertaking a series of studies to identify the effect of (a) surface topography and (b) whole porosity, on stem cell fate.

These studies would be performed under both static and dynamic conditions using new flow bioreactor equipment in tandem with our in house perfusion based bioreactor system developed to study the biological response to real porous synthetic bone graft substitutes with flow to waste and closed loop capabilities using human mesenchymal stem cells for rapid throughput screening of new structures. The outcome of the first phase of studies will then direct the direction of further more mechanistic investigations.

Development and testing of these grafts will be linked to understanding of the phenomena that regulate osteogenic behaviour in synthetic ceramic bone grafts. This information could be key, not only to understanding and optimisation of smart synthetic bone grafts, but to exploration of the possibility to tailor next generation grafts to individual patient needs or to apply this knowledge to the understanding of physiological bone regeneration to combat disease and age related bone loss and degeneration.

This studentship would continue the collaborative partnership between QM and ApaTech/Baxter and potentially lead to the development of a new line of bone graft substitutes for clinical application in sites where mechanical perturbation is of greater concern.

QMUL Research Studentship Details

Available to Home/EU
Full Time programme only
Applicant required to start in January 2018
The studentship arrangement will cover tuition fees and provide an annual stipend for up to three years (Currently set as £16,296 in 2016/17).
The minimum requirement for this studentship opportunity is a good Honours degree (minimum 2(i) honours or equivalent) or MSc/MRes in a relevant discipline.
If English is not your first language then you will require a valid English certificate equivalent to IELTS 6.5+ overall with a minimum score of 6.0 in Writing and 5.5 in all other sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking).

Application Method:

To apply for this studentship and for entry on to the Biomedical Materials Science programme (Full Time, Semester 1 start) please follow the instructions detailed in section 3 of the following webpage: http://www.qmul.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/subjects/materials/index.html

Further Guidance available via: http://www.qmul.ac.uk/postgraduate/applyresearchdegrees/index.html

Please be sure to include a reference to ‘2017 SEMS QMRS KAH’ to associate your application with this studentship opportunity.

Eligibility

The minimum requirement for this studentship opportunity is a good honours degree (minimum 2(i) honours or equivalent) or MSc/MRes in a relevant discipline.
If English is not your first language, you will require a valid English certificate equivalent to IELTS 6.5+ overall with a minimum score of 6.0 in Writing and 5.5 in all sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking).
Candidates are expected to start in (Semester ).
SEMS and Principal-funded studentships: this studentship arrangement covers home tuition fees and provides an annual stipend for up to three years (currently set at the 2023/24 stipend rate of £20,622 pa)
Note that Queen Mary Research Studentships cover home-rated tuition fees only (See: www.welfare.qmul.ac.uk/money/feestatus/ for details)
Overseas applicants would be required to meet the difference between home and international tuition fees

Contact

For informal enquiries about this opportunity, please contact Karin HING.