Microstructure evolution of biomaterials during degradation in a robotic bioreactor (funded DPhil)

Biodegradable biomaterials are widely applied in soft tissue repair & regenerative medicine. Their long-term performance depends not only on their overall degradation rate, but also on how microstructural features (e.g. crystallinity, crystal size, crystal orientation) change over time. However, traditional degradation assays fail to capture the interplay of biological and mechanical cues that govern these changes in vivo. Robotic bioreactors that can reproduce these physiological stresses therefore offer a unique opportunity to study biomaterial degradation under conditions that closely mimic the native environment.

This project aims to investigate the microstructure evolution of biomaterials during degradation in a robotic bioreactor that mimics both biological and mechanical conditions. Comparative controls will include static and uniaxial cultures, with and without cells. The expected outcomes are to generate new insights into how biomaterials degrade under physiologically relevant conditions, leading to more predictive in vitro models and guiding the design of improved scaffolds for tissue repair.

This EPSRC-funded 3.5 year DPhil in Materials DLA studentship will provide course fees and a stipend of at least £20,780 per year (pro-rata for the final six-months).

Applicants with Home or Overseas fee status are eligible to apply. However, applicants with overseas fee status should note our ability to offer a studentship to a candidate with this fee status is restricted by the EPSRC rule that no more than 30% of students funded by a specific EPSRC DLA training grant may be of overseas fee status.

Supervisors will include Prof Pierre-Alexis Mouthuy, Prof Hazel Assender, and Prof Laurence Brassart.