PhD in Mechanical Engineering

In vitro models of cardiac tissue are synthetic tissues produced in the lab which allow for the development of organs and the treatment of diseases to be studied. They are produced using cells and biomaterials and are a key part of the drug development pathway for all new drugs. However, current models have some limitations in terms of how well they replicate the responses seen in people. 3D bioprinting techniques are an exciting set of fabrication technologies which build on the principles of 3D printing, but which can process cells and other biological materials. When used in conjunction with other biofabrication techniques they offer a new approach to the development of in vitro models which offers great potential in the development of more effective models which can better evaluate new therapies. This PhD project will focus on the use of bioprinting and biofabrication techniques to create novel in vitro models of cardiac tissue. The project will involve using new biofabrication technologies to create cardiac in vitro models, and a range of biological characterisation techniques to assess their behaviour. The project builds on previous work which has seen the group develop, patent and spin-out a new bioprinting technology called reactive jet impingement. The group has then integrated this bioprinting technique alongside other technologies to produce in vitro models as part of a European consortium which is studying new treatments for cardiac conditions. The project is interdisciplinary, with an interdisciplinary supervision team led by Professor Kenny Dalgarno, and the successful candidate will be trained in developing and using new processing technologies and in the biological assessment of tissue engineered in vitro models, with the training tailored to the background of the successful applicant.