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Title: Mechanism of interaction of cells with nano- and micro- wear particles
Wear debris and osteolytic reaction that follows are one of the major failure causes in total joint replacements (TDR). Wear debris produced from articulating surfaces of implants cause aseptic loosening as a result of an inflammatory reaction of macrophages to wear particles.
Articulating surfaces of implant generate a large number of particles with different sizes that fall within the size range required for phagocytosis by macrophages. The smaller a particle the greater its surface area relative to its volume and thus the greater its physical interaction and chemical reactivity. The nano-sized wear debris particles produced from implant are thought to be the most dangerous, as they can cause DNA and chromosome damage, cytokine release and cytotoxicity in human cells [1].
The aim of the project is to define how different size, shape and topographic characteristics of the particles can affect biological activity of wear debris. Mechanisms of particles interaction with cells and mechanisms of the cell damage after exposure to particles will be studied. The following parameters and its effects on the biological activity of wear particles will be considered:
1. Effect of chemical composition of the wear particles.
2. Effect of morphological and topographical characteristics of the wear particles.
3. Effect of surface phenomena and intersurface forces involved in cell-particle interactions.
All testing will be carried out with nano- and micro-size particles generated both in vitro and in vivo.
The study will investigate the responses to the following cells to wear particles: osteoclasts, osteoblasts, bone marrow stromal cells and macrophages. This is an interdisciplinary project and the student will gain knowledge and experience in a wide range of techniques, such as wet chemistry nanoparticles synthesis, surface and material characterisation, molecular and cell biology methods.
References:
Glant TT, Roebuck KA, Galante JO, Jacobs JJ, Chandrasekaran R, Vermes C. The effects of particulate wear debris, cytokines, and growth factors on the functions of MG-63. Osteoblasts 2001;83-A:201–11.
Informal Enquiries:
Enquiries regarding the project: Dr Polina Prokopovich, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, prokopovichp@cf.ac.uk; +44 +44 (0) 29208 75820.
Requirements: Upper Second Class Honours Degree or above in Chemistry, Material Science, Colloid Science or Biomedical Science.
Eligibility: The full studentship (fees and stipend) is available to UK or EU students only. The total stipend will be £13,590 per annum. Applications from other candidates with their own sources of funding are welcomed. Outstanding students will be eligible for the award of a prestigious President’s Scholarship. http://www.cf.ac.uk/presidents/
This project is part of the recently funded Arthritis research UK Biomechanics and Bioengineering Centre of Excellence http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/arcbbc/index.html
Discipline Hopping: Opportunities exist to work across academic disciplines such as Biomedical Sciences, Engineering, Pharmacy and in Physiotherapy, Orthopaedics, Rheumatology settings.
Apply on line to Dr Polina Prokopovich, School of Pharmacy:
Closing date: 29th February 2012
Wear debris and osteolytic reaction that follows are one of the major failure causes in total joint replacements (TDR). Wear debris produced from articulating surfaces of implants cause aseptic loosening as a result of an inflammatory reaction of macrophages to wear particles.
Articulating surfaces of implant generate a large number of particles with different sizes that fall within the size range required for phagocytosis by macrophages. The smaller a particle the greater its surface area relative to its volume and thus the greater its physical interaction and chemical reactivity. The nano-sized wear debris particles produced from implant are thought to be the most dangerous, as they can cause DNA and chromosome damage, cytokine release and cytotoxicity in human cells [1].
The aim of the project is to define how different size, shape and topographic characteristics of the particles can affect biological activity of wear debris. Mechanisms of particles interaction with cells and mechanisms of the cell damage after exposure to particles will be studied. The following parameters and its effects on the biological activity of wear particles will be considered:
1. Effect of chemical composition of the wear particles.
2. Effect of morphological and topographical characteristics of the wear particles.
3. Effect of surface phenomena and intersurface forces involved in cell-particle interactions.
All testing will be carried out with nano- and micro-size particles generated both in vitro and in vivo.
The study will investigate the responses to the following cells to wear particles: osteoclasts, osteoblasts, bone marrow stromal cells and macrophages. This is an interdisciplinary project and the student will gain knowledge and experience in a wide range of techniques, such as wet chemistry nanoparticles synthesis, surface and material characterisation, molecular and cell biology methods.
References:
Glant TT, Roebuck KA, Galante JO, Jacobs JJ, Chandrasekaran R, Vermes C. The effects of particulate wear debris, cytokines, and growth factors on the functions of MG-63. Osteoblasts 2001;83-A:201–11.
Informal Enquiries:
Enquiries regarding the project: Dr Polina Prokopovich, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, prokopovichp@cf.ac.uk; +44 +44 (0) 29208 75820.
Requirements: Upper Second Class Honours Degree or above in Chemistry, Material Science, Colloid Science or Biomedical Science.
Eligibility: The full studentship (fees and stipend) is available to UK or EU students only. The total stipend will be £13,590 per annum. Applications from other candidates with their own sources of funding are welcomed. Outstanding students will be eligible for the award of a prestigious President’s Scholarship. http://www.cf.ac.uk/presidents/
This project is part of the recently funded Arthritis research UK Biomechanics and Bioengineering Centre of Excellence http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/arcbbc/index.html
Discipline Hopping: Opportunities exist to work across academic disciplines such as Biomedical Sciences, Engineering, Pharmacy and in Physiotherapy, Orthopaedics, Rheumatology settings.
Apply on line to Dr Polina Prokopovich, School of Pharmacy:
Closing date: 29th February 2012