Join a research project

This is a self-funded opportunity.

Project advert

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) affects > 236 million people globally. Chronic Limb Threatening Ischemia is the end stage disease of lower extremity PAD, in which obstruction of blood flow results in pain, ulcers, gangrene and amputation. Despite primary intervention, some patient treatments fail and amputation or death occurs. PAD is linked to microvascular impairment, including alterations in the microvascular architecture, that contribute to the symptoms and impaired physical function of patients. Therefore, the identification and characterisation of microvascular impairment would help clarify and differentiate the macro- and microvascular pathophysiology, and potentially provide an accurate and prompt diagnosis of PAD and may better identify those patients who have a higher chance of revascularisation failure.

Project aims and objectives

The primary aim of the project is to undertake super-resolution imaging (SRUI) image analysis that provides a direct assessment of the blood flow dynamics for PAD patients. The objectives are to compare SRUI with reference-standard imaging (i.e., duplex ultrasound, computer tomography angiography etc.,) and clinical assessment in people undergoing surgical revascularisation and be in collaboration with Manchester Foundation Trust. You will also work in the world-class facilities at the Institute of Sport.

Specific requirements of the candidate

In addition to the standard entry requirements for Masters By Research programmes at Manchester Metropolitan University, applicants should have:

• Some knowledge in vascular imaging techniques
• Solid experience with standard research methodologies such as writing and reporting scientific studies

Further information

Interested applicants should: contact Dr Amy Harwood or Dr Steven Rogers for an informal discussion.

To apply you will need to complete the online application form for a Masters By Research (or download the PGR application form).

Closing date: 11 November 2024. Expected start date: January 2025 for Home students and April 2025 for International students. 

Please quote the reference: SciEng-AH-2024-SRUI

This is a self-funded opportunity.

Project advert

Recent evidence indicates that acute creatine supplementation can positively affect vascular parameters in older adults. This finding suggests a potential clinical applicability of creatine supplementation in the prevention and management of various cardiovascular and cerebrovascular pathologies (e.g., ischemic heart disease, stroke). However, before this can be applied in a clinical setting, studies are needed to investigate the long-term effects of creatine, as well as its impact on a wide range of vascular outcomes, including the function and structure of the peripheral vasculature, as well as the brain vasculature.

This Masters by Research project aims to test the acute and long-term effects of creatine supplementation on peripheral macrovascular and microvascular function, arterial stiffness as well as on the regulation of cerebral blood flow in healthy older adults from the community.

Data obtained from this project will provide evidence for the efficacy of creatine supplementation as a potential strategy for both the prevention and rehabilitation of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular conditions.

The successful student will utilise Manchester Metropolitan University’s state-of-the-art exercise, nutrition, and cardiovascular physiology laboratories and will be working with a multidisciplinary team spanning various disciplines, including vascular physiologists (Dr Tiago Peçanha and Dr Amy Harwood) and nutrition experts (Prof Craig Sale).

Project aims and objectives

This Masters by Research project aims to test the acute (i.e., 1 single dose) and long-term effects (16 weeks of supplementation) on peripheral macro- and microvascular function, arterial stiffness and the regulation of cerebral blood flow in healthy older adults.

Specifically, this Masters by Research project will:

• Test the acute effects of creatine supplementation on brachial artery flow-mediated dilation, cutaneous microcirculation and cerebral blood flow in healthy older adults.
• Test the effects of 16 weeks of creatine supplementation on brachial artery flow-mediated dilation, cutaneous microcirculation, arterial stiffness and cerebrovascular function in healthy older adults.

Specific requirements of the candidate

In addition to the standard entry requirements for Masters by Research programmes at Manchester Metropolitan University, applicants should have:

• Strong knowledge in cardiovascular physiology and nutrition
• Solid experience with standard research techniques and methods for assessing human physiology and exercise responses.
• Some experience with techniques and methods specific to assessing human cardiovascular physiology

Further information

Interested applicants should: contact Dr Tiago Pecanha, Dr Amy Harwood and Professor Craig Sale for an informal discussion.

To apply you will need to complete the online application form for a Masters By Research (or download the PGR application form).

Closing date: 11 November 2024. Expected start date: January 2025 for Home students and April 2025 for International students. 

Please quote the reference: SciEng-TP-2024-CS

This self-funded project is a full-time opportunity open to home and international students. 

Project summary

Over the years, tornadoes (and to a lesser extent, downbursts) have attracted a great deal of attention both from the engineering community and the media. Tornadoes are rather complex phenomena which despite considerable research efforts are not particularly well understood. This tends to be due to two main reasons: firstly, the high wind speeds associated with the strongest tornadoes makes it difficult to obtain near ground measurements both from a safety perspective and from an equipment perspective – standard measuring equipment simply cannot withstand the corresponding wind-induced forces. Secondly, tornadoes are unpredictable and can be of a relatively small scale (~10m - 1km). Thus, the probability of correctly predicting a tornado’s location is rather small, although in general terms predicting their occurrence over large areas is reasonably straightforward.

This project addresses these issues directly by using trees and crops as widespread damage indicators; the failure patterns arising from these plants when subject to a tornado/downburst can provide considerable information relating to tornado/downburst. Considerable progress has been made on this front, but all this research contains several fundamental assumptions which has never been validated. This research will test all these assumptions through detailed wind tunnel measurements in large-scale wind tunnel.

Project aims and objectives

The aim of this research is to investigate if existing tornado models can predict realistic tree/crop fall patterns.  This will be achieved by analysing a series of controlled model-scale experiments undertaken in partnership with colleagues at Western University. Underpinning this aim are 4 objectives:

1. To undertake a critical literature review relating to tree and crop fall patterns arising from tornadoes.
2. To analyse experimental data from a variety of physical tests undertaken in a large-scale tornado generator.
3. To compare the results of (2) with patterns arising from analytical tornadoes models.
4. Based on (2) and (3), to develop an appropriate analytical model / propose changes to existing analytical models to provide an accurate insight into tornado scales based on full-scale tree/crop fall patterns.

Specific requirements of the candidate

Applicants should have either an excellent undergraduate or MSc in either engineering, mathematics or physics.

How to apply

Interested applicants should contact Professor Mark Sterling at [email protected] for an informal discussion, providing a copy of your CV and a short statement outlining why you are attracted to this topic.  Please quote ‘Tornado-forest PhD’ in all correspondence.

To apply you will need to complete the online application form for a full-time PhD in Engineering, or download the PGR application form.

You should also complete the PGR thesis proposalform addressing the project’s aims and objectives, demonstrating how the skills you have maps to the area of research and why you see this area as being of importance and interest. 

If applying online, you will need to upload your statement in the supporting documents section or email the application form and statement to [email protected].

Applications from those who wish to explore the possibility of flexible working arrangements are welcome.

Please quote the reference: SciEng-MS-2024-Tornado-forest

Self-funded PhD opportunity

Summary

This proposal will develop algorithms and software to improve ultrasound breast lesion detection and recognition. This will be achieved using computer vision to build up a real-time scanning system, alerting the user of the appearance and type of suspicious lesions. The research will improve state-of-the-art methods by providing the location of the lesion, 3D lesion structure and recognition of the lesion.

This proposal is novel as it aims to overcome the problem of inconsistency in the human operator using real-time ultrasound scanning. With the involvement of clinical and commercial partners, we will adopt the user-centred design for real-life usage. We will conduct clinical testing during the lifetime of the project. A low-cost, targeted, non-invasive ultrasound breast lesion detection system would have substantial health benefits. This would inevitably result in great long-term societal and economic benefits due to the improved quality of life and health of women in an ageing population.

This improved breast ultrasound diagnostic tool will ensure that healthcare professionals can provide a higher level of care for all patients with breast cancer risks, identifying early signs of breast cancer and referring on to other relevant clinicians.

Aims and objectives

The current performance of computer vision research in breast ultrasound imaging has a number of limitations, including dependence on the human operator, and the lack of standardised datasets and algorithms producing high false positive rates. A solution using real-time processing methods to overcome these limitations is important and necessary. This proposal will greatly improve the research field by providing new datasets annotated by radiologists and new methods for real-time breast ultrasound lesion detection and recognition. The goal of this research is to provide fast and reliable tools for the early detection of malignant lesions. The objectives are:

• Document user requirements and design the data collection tool
• Acquire new ultrasound image sequence datasets with clinical reports, i.e., the location of the lesion and the type of the lesion
• Design and optimise algorithms for real-time lesion detection and segmentation of ultrasound image sequences
• Enhance the lesion recognition technique by using the fusion of 2D and 3D features using machine learning algorithms
• Validate the results with clinical decisions and conduct clinical testing 

Specific requirements of the project

Candidates must have a strong motivation for research and excellent programming skills. Expertise of developing computer vision and machine learning algorithms would be desirable, with an interest in image analysis.

Qualifications

• A high-grade undergraduate degree (first class or upper second) in computer science
• An MSc level in Computer Science would be desirable for this post

Skills

• Knowledge of software development and programming
• Good communication and writing skills
• Developing image analysis/machine learning algorithms would be beneficial
• Able to work as part of a joint academia and industry team

Eligibility 

Home and international students can apply for this self-funded position.

How to apply

For an informal discussion regarding the requirements of the position, please contact Professor Moi Hoon Yap at [email protected].

Apply online for a Full-time PhD in Computing and Digital Technology or a Part-time PhD in Computing and Digital Technology. You can also complete the PGR application form, indicating how you meet the essential and desirable criteria in the personal statement. Submit your application form by email to [email protected]. We accept year-round applications.

Please quote the reference: SciEng-MHY-2022-breast-ultrasound

Self-funded Master’s by Research opportunity

Summary

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease events but the precise mechanisms leading to this remain unknown. One key feature in CKD is reduced capacity of the vessels to dilate due to increased levels of reactive oxygen species within the vessel wall and lining endothelial cells. Increased activity of the cytochrome P450 enzyme, CYP1B1, and generation of vasoconstrictor mediator 20 HETE, can contribute to oxidative stress. We have recently demonstrated that the potent antioxidant and CYP1B1 inhibitor, Tetramethoxystilbene (TMS) can restore dilator capacity in an ex vivo model of hypertension, via potentiation of nitric oxide (Zaabalawi et al 2019). Whether TMS can be vasculo-protective and hence prevent CKD progression is not known.

This one-year project will allow the student to learn the skill of maintaining endothelial cells in culture and perform biochemical assays to determine the oxidative state of the cells and the mediators released. Additionally, skills in microdissection and physiological function measurements of isolated blood vessels will be gained. The student will be supervised by experts in the field and encouraged to communicate findings at conferences. They will be mentored to support their career progression and employment prospects.

The successful candidate will be based within the Centre for Bioscience Research Centre at Manchester Met.

Aims and objectives

The project aims to determine the vasculo-protective effects of CYP1B1 enzyme inhibitors in the prevention of disease progression in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. The objectives are to:

• determine the influence of CKD sera on endothelial cell viability and oxidative state, using cell culture and biochemical assays, in the presence or absence of the enzyme inhibitors.
• determine the level of vasoactive mediators released by the endothelial cells after exposure to CKD sera, using biochemical analysis.
• determine the pharmacological influence of CKD serum derived mediators on vascular reactivity of isolated arteries, using pressure myography.

Specific requirements of the project

A minimum honours degree at first or upper second class level. Exposure to microdissection or cell culture is desirable but it’s not essential

Student eligibility 

This self-funded Master’s by Research opportunity is for one year (full-time) and is open to international or home applicants.

How to apply

For an informal discussion regarding the requirements of the position, please contact Dr May Azzawi at [email protected]. To apply, please  complete the PGR application form, indicating how you meet the essential and desirable criteria in the personal statement. Submit your  application form by email to [email protected]. 

Please quote the reference: SciEng-MA-2022-enzyme-inhibitors

Self-funded Master’s by Research opportunity 

Summary 

Liver fibrosis kills and is an increasing disease burden. Despite efforts to define pro-fibrotic processes there are still no approved anti-fibrotic therapies for liver fibrosis. Hepatic Stellate Cells (HSCs) are well established as the cellular drivers of liver fibrosis. In response to inflammatory and mechanical cues they drastically alter their phenotype to become proliferative, migratory, and contractile myofibroblasts. A key characteristic is secretion of fibrillar collagen which is the main component of the fibrotic scar. 

Mechano-signalling: Mechanical cues can promote HSC activation. As fibrosis progresses the liver’s mechanical properties change, and tissue stiffness increases. It has been shown that mechano-signalling can occur very early in disease and is an important driver of HSC activation. However, it is not well understood how external mechanical cues are able to drive fibrosis. 

PDLIM5 (PDZ And LIM Domain Protein 5) is thought to function as a cytoskeleton associated signalling scaffold or platform, where regulatory enzymes and their substrates are brought together in response to external mechanical cues. This project will characterise and interrogate the proteins that interact with PDLIM5 in HSCs to identify novel therapeutic targets for liver fibrosis. 

The successful candidate will be based within the Centre for Bioscience Research Centre at Manchester Met. 

Project aims and objectives 

Dr James Pritchett has previously shown that mechano-regulated activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) drives liver fibrosis in a mechanism involving Yes Associated Protein 1 (YAP1)^{1 2}. It remains to be elucidated precisely how external mechanical cues are able to alter YAP1 activity in HSCs. It has recently been shown³ in a human colon epithelial cell line (Caco-2) that mechano-sensitive YAP1 activity can be regulated by interactions with PDZ and LIM Domain Protein 5 (PDLIM5). PDLIM5 in HSCs may function as a mechano-sensitive platform that is a site of interaction between nuclear factors and regulatory enzymes such as kinases. 

Hypothesis: PDLIM5 is required for mechano-activation of Hepatic Stellate Cells. 

Objectives: 

1. Investigate PDLIM5 expression during HSC activation. 
2. Generate inducible cell lines to interrogate PDLIM5 function. 
3. Generate reporter cell lines to investigate the regulation of pro-fibrotic YAP1. 

Outcomes: Stable cell lines for the interrogation of PDLIM5 function and assays of YAP1 activity. The student will develop advanced laboratory skills and contribute to publications describing: 

1. The role of PDLIM5 in HSCs; and 
2. The regulation of YAP1 activity during fibrosis.  

This research project aligns with the strategic goals of the Centre for Bioscience and falls under the theme of Ageing and Lifelong Health, but also has links to the Cardiovascular theme. 

References: 

1. Athwal VS*, Pritchett J*, et al. EMBO Mol Med 2017 
2. Martin K*, Pritchett J*, et al. Nat Commun 2016 
3. Elbediwy A, et al. J Cell Sci 2018 

Specific requirements of the project

• Upper second, or first class, honours degree in Biomedical Science or related subject. 
• Previous experience of working in a cell and molecular biology research laboratory. 

Skills/techniques the ideal candidate will already have some experience or knowledge of: 

• Mammalian cell culture 
• RNA isolation and reverse transcription 
• qPCR 
• Western blot 
• Immunofluorescence 
• Transfections 
• Cloning and vector prep 

Student eligibility

This self-funded Master’s by Research opportunity is open to international or home applicants. 

How to apply

For an informal discussion regarding the requirements of the position, please contact Dr James Pritchett at [email protected]. To apply, please complete the PGR application form, indicating how you meet the essential and desirable criteria in the personal statement. Submit your application form by email to [email protected].  

Please quote the reference: SciEng-JP-2022-pdlim5-function 

Self-funded PhD opportunity

Summary

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia and has an increase in incidence and prevalence with each decade of adult life. Over 6 million people in Europe suffer from AF.  It is responsible for increased risk of death, stroke, thromboembolic complications, tachyarrhythmic cardiomyopathy and the development of heart failure (HF).  HF is also a major public health problem that affects over 25 million patients worldwide. It causes morbidity, death, and health-care expenditure globally and despite major advances in pharmacotherapy, our understanding of its underlying disease mechanisms from epidemiological, clinical, pathophysiological, molecular, and genetic standpoints remains incomplete. HF and AF frequently coexist. AF represents the most common arrhythmia of HF patients (approximately 13% of patients in the age range 35 to 64; and 21% of patients aged 65 years or older). On the other hand, HF is a major promoter of AF, increasing the risk of developing AF by approximately five-fold.

The overarching aim is to elucidate pathophysiological mechanisms of coexistent AF and HF, and to use biophysically detailed models predictively to explore potential therapeutic strategies.

Aims and objectives

The mechanism(s) underlying the genesis of AF in HF patients and HF in AF patients remains unclear. This project proposes to investigate and elucidate the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of this duality and potential therapeutic strategies. This will be done by developing novel AI-enabled electromechanical (as opposed to the usual electrophysiology only) cellular, tissue and organ models for these conditions.

Specific requirements of the project

• A very good undergraduate degree (at least a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent) in a quantitative discipline such as engineering, physics, computer science or mathematics.
• A good mathematical background and programming skills in at least one of C/C++, Rust, Julia or Python.
• Experience of numerical methods and machine learning will be beneficial.
• A keen interest in high-impact research work at the interface of physics, engineering, computer science and medicine.

Student eligibility 

Home and international students can apply for this self-funded position.

How to apply

For an informal discussion regarding the requirements of the position, please contact:

• Dr Ismail Adeniran at [email protected]
• Professor Hans Degens at [email protected]).

Apply online for a Full-time PhD in Computing and Digital Technology or complete the PGR application form, indicating how you meet the essential and desirable criteria in the personal statement. Submit your application form by email to [email protected].We accept year-round applications.

Please quote the reference: SciEng-IA-2022-pathophysiological-mechanisms

Self-funded Research Masters opportunity

Summary

Dietary and/or caloric restriction is known to be effective in weight loss and methods such as intermittent fasting are becoming increasingly popular amongst the general population. Research is also increasing on the effect of dietary strategies on appetite regulation and metabolic health. A number of gut-derived hormones that are involved in the regulation of appetite are also known to regulate gastrointestinal motility, and thus appear to be intrinsically linked. The effect of different dietary/caloric restriction methods on gastrointestinal function and food and energy intake is an important mechanistic consideration to their effectiveness.

Aims and objectives

The aim will be to investigate the effect of different dietary/caloric restriction strategies on gastrointestinal function and appetite regulation.

Specific requirements of the project

Applicants will have, or expect to gain, a BSc (Hons) degree (2.1 or above) in human physiology, nutrition, bioscience or another related discipline.

The candidate should have excellent analytical, organisational, and communication skills. The ability to work in a team, be flexible with working hours, and have self-motivation are also required.

Experience in working with human participants within a laboratory, health or clinical setting is essential. Experience in dietary analysis and/or physical activity monitoring will be advantageous. Experience in biochemical analysis is also desirable, but training will be provided.

Student eligibility 

Home and international students can apply for this self-funded position.

How to apply

For an informal discussion regarding the requirements of the position, please contact Dr Adora Yau at [email protected] or Dr Gethin Evans at [email protected].

To apply, complete an online application form for either a Full-Time or Part-time position.

You can also complete the PGR application form, indicating how you meet the essential and desirable criteria in the personal statement.

Submit your application form by email to [email protected]. We accept year-round applications.

Please quote the reference: SciEng-AY-2022-gastrointestinal-function