Ciência sem Fronteiras (Science Without Borders)

DCU PhD Project Template:

**Please use one form per project**

Please complete & submit to your Head of School by Monday 16th July

PI name & contact details: / Dr Garrett McGuinness
School: / School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
Research Centre / group affiliation: / Centre for Medical Engineering Research
Research group / centre website: / www.medeng.dcu.ie
PI website / link to CV: / http://www.dcu.ie/info/staff_member.php?id_no=1241
Brief summary of PI research / research group / centre activity (2 or 3 lines max):
Dr McGuinness has extensive experience in research related to polymeric biomaterials, composite materials and ultrasonic medical devices. His biomaterials research has recently been focussed on the development of scaffolds and encapsulation schemes for tissue engineering, and on computational modelling of gel mechanics.
Title & brief description of PhD project (suitable for publication on web):
nHA PVOH composite Cryogels for Cartilage Substitute Applications
This project will investigate issues associated with the application of composites of nano-hydroxyapatite and poly (vinyl alcohol) cryogels as cartilage substitute materials. The objective is to create a biomaterial/scaffold which combines the elasticity and high strain capacity of PVA cryogels with the mechanical reinforcement and osteoconductivity of hydroxyapatite, to promote full integration with contiguous bone. nHA/PVA cryogel systems have been proposed in the literature[1], but with no provision for population of the gels with chondrocyte or progenitor cells through encapsulation or infiltration.
Composites of PVA with different macromolecules or inclusions have been widely investigated with respect to tissue engineering applications, including at the DCU laboratory[2]. Natural macromolecules (e.g. gelatin) can be used to increase biofunctionality, particularly with respect to cell attachment. Preliminary schemes to encapsulate cells during the freeze-thaw process show promise for vascular tissue engineering applications[3]. Recent work has established the greater suitability of a new cryoprotectant, and this will be used to investigate the prospects for a cell laden nHA/PVA cryogel, in collaboration with a DCU cell biology group.
Unique selling points of PhD project in DCU:
There have been a series of research projects investigating the application of PVOH cryogels in tissue engineering. A network of collaborators (clinical and scientific, national and international) have been assembled to address the interdisciplinary issues arising in this research. The student would have the benefit of access to these opportunities.
Name & contact details for project queries, if different from PI named above:
Dr Garrett McGuinness +353 1 7005423
Please indicate the graduates of which disciplines that should apply:
Applications from graduates with degrees in biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, materials engineering or biotechnology.
Ciência sem Fronteiras / Science Without Borders Priority Area:
Please indicate the specific programme priority area under which the proposed PhD project fits- choose only one (tick box):
Engineering and other technological areas / Y
Pure and Natural Sciences (e.g. mathematics, physics, chemistry)
Health and Biomedical Sciences
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)
Aerospace
Pharmaceuticals
Oil, Gas and Coal
Renewable Energy
Minerals
Biotechnology
Nanotechnology and New Materials
Technology of prevention and remediation of natural disasters
Biodiversity and Bioprospection
Marine Sciences
Creative Industry
New technologies in constructive engineering

Please complete

[1] Xu et al, J Mater Sci, 39 (2004) 5669 – 5672

[2] Liu et al, J Biomed Mater Res B (2009), 90B, 2, pp492-502.

[3] Vrana, et al, J Tissue Eng Regen M (2009), 3, 7, pp567-572.