Studying the Mechanical Bioeffects of Low-Intensity Ultrasound and its Therapeutic Application in Ophthalmology at UCL

Studying the Mechanical Bioeffects of Low-Intensity Ultrasound and its Therapeutic Application in Ophthalmology

Key information

Lead supervisors: Dr Reza Haqshenas

Application deadline: 01 November 2023

Project start date: 01 November 2023 onwards

Project duration: 3.5 years

Eligibility: UK Students, EU Students, International Students

Studentship funding: Full tuition fees & maintenance stipend (currently £20,622/year)

PhD project description

Therapeutic ultrasound is a non-invasive technology to generate a range of bioeffects at a localised region of tissue by focusing ultrasonic energy, without incisions or ionising radiation. There is a large & growing number of clinical applications for therapeutic ultrasound, including treatment of essential tremor, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, etc. In ophthalmology, therapeutic ultrasound has been used as a novel modality for treating glaucoma & eye cancers. It is shown that ultrasound is effective for reducing cytotoxic death of retinal pigmented epithelium cells (RPE) and opening retinal blood barrier. More recently, we have embarked on an innovative project to study the mechanisms by which the ultrasonic energy influences the functions of RPE using an in vitro model of retina. This PhD project seeks to deepen our understanding of the bioeffects of ultrasound on the retina, develop fundamental biophysical knowledge about this interaction, & explore potential therapeutic applications.

This is a high impact interdisciplinary project at the interface between engineering, biophysics, & ophthalmology. The successful candidate will contribute to the development of the theoretical & experimental knowledge of therapeutic ultrasound. The candidate will have access to the state-of-the-art laboratory facilities & collaborate with a strong multidisciplinary team of academics at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology (Prof. John Marshall). 

The project consists of several experimental & theoretical work packages where the successful candidate will:

• characterise & improve the in-house developed cellularised phantom of retina,
• formulate scientific hypotheses concerning the diverse pathways through which ultrasonic energy interacts with retinal function, followed by experimental testing of these hypotheses. 

This project will require:

• the use of multiphysics computer simulation techniques to determine the ultrasonic field in the experimental platform,
• performing morphological, histochemical, & immunological studies.

The outcome of this research will elucidate the response of retina to ultrasound stimulations. This will help develop novel interventions for managing & treating retinal diseases like age-related macular degeneration which is the most common cause of blindness in the elderly. 

Person specification

This is a highly interdisciplinary project, & applications are encouraged from a range of backgrounds. The ideal candidate should possess an upper second-class Bachelor’s degree or above in Biomedical Sciences, Physical Sciences, or Engineering, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.

Prior experience of working with cell cultures, fluorescence/optical microscopy and/or proficiency in applied physics & computing (MATLAB or Python) will constitute a distinct advantage.

Excellent organisational, interpersonal & communication skills, along with a stated interest in interdisciplinary research, are essential.

Eligibility

This studentship is available to UK students & international students.

Applicants whose first language is not English are required to meet UCL’s English language entry requirements.

Please refer to this webpage for full eligibility criteria: Mechanical Engineering MPhil/PhD

How to apply

Eligible applicants should first contact Dr Reza Haqshenas (r.haqshenas@ucl.ac.uk). 

Please enclose the following documents:

• A one-page statement outlining suitability for the project
• A two pages CV (including contact details of two referees)

After discussing the project with Dr Haqshenas, eligible applicants should also submit a formal PhD application via the UCL website, by clicking the Apply buton, above.

The supervisory team will arrange interviews for short-listed candidates.