Newcastle University
New Castle NE1 7RU
New Castle NE1 7RU
United Kingdom
PhD Studentship – The immunobiology of mesenchymal stem cells for skeletal tissue engineering
Closing Date: 25th March 2011
Details:
Supervisors: Professor A Dickinson, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Dr X Wang, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Dr M Rae, Institute of Cellular Medicine
Duration of the award: 3 years
Project description Osteoarthritis (OA) is a significant healthcare burden and preventing or slowing its onset would alleviate considerable patient disability and suffering. The use of cell therapies offers an exciting opportunity to treat early stage osteochondral lesions that otherwise would go on to initiate osteoarthritic changes. One strategy is to use the patients own cells alone or in conjunction with a biomaterial scaffold to rebuild the diseased tissue. As part of the Arthritis Research UK Tissue Engineering Centre our research is focused on understanding the immunophenotype of adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and chondrocytes or osteoblasts derived from this source. Approaches to the isolation of MSCs will be investigated and processes implemented to current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) ensuring their translation to clinical use. The immunobiology of MSCs and chondrocytes or osteoblasts differentiated in culture will be investigated by a number of approaches including flow cytometry.
Value of the Award and Eligibility The award covers University fees at the UK/EU rate and a stipend matched to the minimum Research Council recommended stipend, £13,590 (2010/11). Candidates from outside UK/EU may apply but tuition fees will only be paid at the UK/EU rate.
Person Specification Applicants will be expected to hold a first class or upper second class honours degree in a Biological Sciences subject or Biomedical/Mechanical/Chemical Engineering plus normally further research experience and / or a higher degree such as for example a MRes.
How to Apply You must apply through the University’s online postgraduate application form inserting the reference number CL044 and selecting “Doctor of Philosophy (Medical Sciences) – Cellular Medicine' as the programme of study. Only mandatory fields need to be completed (no personal statement required) and a covering letter, CV and (if English is not your first language) a copy of your English language qualifications must be attached. The covering letter must state the title of the studentship, quote the reference number CL044 and state how your interests and experience relate to the project.
You should also send your covering letter and CV to Prof Anne Dickinson, Academic Haematological Sciences, Leech Building, the Medical School, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, U.K or e-mail to a.m.dickinson@ncl.ac.uk
For further details, please contact Prof Anne Dickinson by e-mail (a.m.dickinson@ncl.ac.uk).
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