Departmental Vacancies
Vacancies
PhD Studentship: Towards predicting fate of ageing blood vessels
Start Date: 30/09/2013
Summary
This studentship, part of HEAP: Healthcare Engineering for an Ageing Population, a Doctoral Training Program at UCL, provides an opportunity of 4-year study program combining MRes (first year) and PhD (subsequent 3 years). Throughout the program, the student will tackle a research project characterising blood vessel tissue behaviour in response to mechanical stimuli such as strain and stress, using both experimental and computational techniques. The outcomes of the project will help understand diseases related to vascular stiffness such as aortic aneurysm and hypertension which are more common in elderly, and help improve patient care for ageing population. Details of the studentship can be found below.
Background
Arterial walls become stiffer with age due to degeneration of elastic fibres and increase of collagenous fibres, to maintain the mechanical strength of the blood vessel. Such restructuring of tissue is called remodelling. The stiffened arterial wall typically results in hypertension (increased blood pressure) which has an approximate prevalence of 30% in England. Another typical example of vessel wall remodelling is aneurysm growth that is manifested by vessel diameter increase (dilatation) and stiffening of wall tissue. In both cases, effect of mechanical stimuli such as blood pressure, haemodynamic shear stress and wall tensile stress via mechano-response of the cells in the wall have been considered significant but the detailed underlying mechanism is yet to be elucidated.
Aim and Programme of Research
The aim of this study is to quantitate the role of mechanical stimuli in the event typically seen in ageing blood vessels under laboratory test conditions. Particular focus will be placed on two important components of blood vessels, the smooth muscle cell and collagen fibre. Findings of this study are expected to significantly benefit healthcare of an ageing society by increasing our understanding of the disease mechanism and as a tool for predictive medicine.
The main objectives of this study are More...
PhD Studentship: Agent-Based Models of Neointimal Hyperplasia
Start Date: 30th September 2013
Duration of Studentship: 4 years (MRes, then PhD)
Value of the Award: Home fees paid, plus stipend at UK Research Council rate: currently £15,740 per annum
Background:
With the advent of modern microsurgical procedures and an improved understanding of the cellular dynamics of vascular graft adaptation, arterial grafts are being used more frequently in surgical practice.
Neointimal hyperplasia is the thickening of the tunica intima of a blood vessel as a complication of a reconstruction procedure and is the universal response of a vessel to injury, an important reason of late bypass graft failure.
Programme of Research:
In this project, agent-based modelling techniques will be used to understand the development of neointimal hyperplasia in vascular grafts. The underlying biology of venous graft adaptation is now well understood. However, in addition to venous grafts, many different arterial conduits are now being used; these include the radial artery, internal mammary (thoracic) and gastroepiploic arteries. The project intends to explore the different clinical outcomes of these arterial grafts and the underlying cell biology of their adaptation to the grafted environment using agent-based modelling techniques.
Eligibility conditions:
Academic: The equivalent of a UK undergraduate degree at minimum 2:1 level or a Masters degree (distinction preferred).
Residency: This is a DTP funded studentship and DTP studentships are open to UK students only and those who satisfy the EPSRC’s residency conditions. For EPSRC eligibility conditions please see:
http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/skills/students/help/Pages/eligibility.aspx
Person Specification:
Applicants should have a very good degree in any subject which has significant analytical and scientific content (e.g. engineering, mathematics, computer science, physics or any other related numerical discipline). Applicants from the life sciences (biology, medicine, physiology, etc.) are also welcome to apply.
Excellent analytical and computer skills are essential, hence those with a background in the life sciences will be expected to demonstrate skills in mathematics and computing.
Prior experience with agent-based models would be desirable.
Application Process
Applicants should in the first instance email their CV and a brief covering letter/statement to Dr. Vanessa Diaz at: v.diaz@ucl.ac.uk.
After interview, the successful candidate(s) will be required to formally apply online via the UCL website:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate-study/application-admission/apply-online/
Interview Date: To be arranged
Academic Contact for Applicant (for scientific / technical queries)
Dr. Vanessa Diaz v.diaz@ucl.ac.uk
UCL Taking Action for Equality
Closing Date: 10/07/2013
Applicants are recommended to apply early.
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PhD Studentship in Simulation and Non-Invasive Measurement of Regional Tumour Blood Flow and Oxygenation
Description More...
Engineering the Flow Properties of Therapeutic Drinks to Maximise Safety of Swallowing
Description of Studentship More...
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