3D Modelling Human Brain Tissue and Robotically-Guided Drug-Loaded Click Hydrogels Delivery for the Study of Neural Tissue Repair

University of West London – School of Medicine and Biosciences

In Collaboration with the School of Computing and Engineering and Sapienza University of Rome

Supervisory Team

Dr Hanieh Khalili
Dr Gianluca Cidonio
Professor Massoud Zolgharni

Project Description:

This multi-disciplinary PhD project is intended to unravel new approaches for the AI-guided delivery of therapeutics to the brain tissue. Due to the impossibility of assessing the safety and efficacy of therapeutics for brain diseases (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease) and trauma (e.g., accidental damages), there is an increasing need for the fabrication of brain tissue replicas that might emulate the physiological conditions within the human body. The engineer of a three-dimensional patient-specific brain construct is attractive, particularly for the possible assessment of functionality for delivery methodologies such as hydrogel-mediated injections. The main aim of this PhD project is to address an urgent unmet clinical need to develop a novel 3D bioprinted brain construct to be used as platform for delivery testing due to AI-driven injections of click hydrogels loaded with therapeutics and the study of release, localisation, safety and efficacy.

The PhD candidate will work in both institutions to study the fabrication of click hydrogel in Dr Khalili’s research lab (Biotherapeutic Drug Development) and using AI-guided approach in Prof Zolgharni’s lab (IntSaV) to use an automated robotic-assisted injection system with the 3D bioprinting group in Dr Cidonio’s lab within the Nanotechnologies for Neurosciences (N4N) lab of Prof. Giancarlo Ruocco.


Funding:

A fully funded PhD studentship (all tuition fees paid) is available for UK and International students to apply. Successful PhD scholars will be expected to contribute to departmental teaching or research activities for a maximum of six hours per week.

How to Apply:

Informal enquiries about the studentship should be addressed to the specific Director of Studies stated above.

Applicants should apply online via the following links:
Jobs.ac.uk Application Page
UWL PhD Biomedical Science

When completing your online application, please state the project title in your statement. Applications will only be accepted via the online application form.

Applications must include the following:

  • Full CV, with a list of any significant course projects and/or industrial experience
  • A 2-page research proposal relating to the above PhD topic description
  • Academic transcripts/grades
  • A copy of publications of the applicant (if any)

Requirements:

  • You must have an MPharm or MSc degree (or equivalent experience and/or qualifications) in an area pertinent to the subject area, i.e. Pharmaceutical Science, Pharmacy or Chemistry, Bioengineering and AI machine learning.
  • You must have a high standard undergraduate degree at UK 1st class or 2:1 level (or international equivalent)
  • You must be fluent in spoken and written English
  • Where English is not the applicant’s first language, a minimum IELTS Academic English score of 7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in all components is required.
  • You must have excellent communication skills and be able to organise your own work and prioritise work to meet deadlines
  • Strong academic track record and practical skills are desired
  • Any published scientific papers would be a plus

For more information about the project, please contact Dr Hanieh Khalili

Graphical abstract of AI-guided 3D bioprinting project