PhD in Imaging Meniscus Biology

Project Title: iBIO-Meniscus — Imaging Meniscus Biology for Repair Innovation/nThe extracellular matrix (ECM) of load-bearing soft tissues such as the meniscus—with parallels in articular cartilage and intervertebral discs—is organised in multiple layers that sustain compressive loads several times body weight yet remain extremely difficult to repair due to their avascular nature. Because function is encoded in ultrastructure, understanding soft-tissue layer biology is crucial. The meniscus has a sandwich-like architecture: two stiff outer layers provide tensile reinforcement while a compliant porous core dissipates energy through fluid redistribution. Deciphering how living meniscal layers organise, adapt, and maintain hydraulic–mechanical performance is key to enabling effective biological repair and inspiring engineered components such as meniscus-inspired dampers. This PhD applies a Structure ⇄ Biology ⇄ Mechanics framework to establish a bioinspired design pathway where natural tissue architectures directly inform next-generation engineering solutions. Approach and Methods: The overarching aim is to understand the biology and the inter dependence on mechanical loading of the meniscus layers to advance bio-inspired engineering components. Structural characterisation will use validated confocal and electron microscopy workflows already established within the Bioimaging Centre and within the Bio Inspired Engineering and Multiphysics lab.