Investigating the microstructural and micromechanical properties of lung tissue
Main supervisor: Kelly Burrowes, k.burrowes@auckland.ac.nz
Co-supervisor: Ashvin Thambyah, ashvin.thambyah@auckland.ac.nz
Department: Chemical and Materials Engineering
Research theme: Technologies for Health
Description:
The efficiency of lung function, or the lack thereof in respiratory disease, is governed by the complex interplay between lung tissue architecture and resultant mechanical properties of the tissue. The main function of the lung is gas exchange; this is achieved by bringing air and blood into contact over a vast surface area. In this project we are aiming to increase our understanding of lung tissue microstructure (including arrangement of elastin, collagen and proteoglycans) and micromechanical properties. This project will apply various imaging modalities and mechanical testing methodologies (scanning electron, and optical microscopy to visualise structure and atomic force microscopy and tensile testing to measure mechanical properties) to establish an understanding of normal lung tissue microstructure and mechanics, with a view towards understanding changes occurring with age and in disease. Initial procedures will be established using animal tissue. Tissue measurements will be used to parameterise a computational model of lung tissue mechanics – initially at the microstructural scale but with a vision towards linking to organ level lung mechanics.
Candidate requirements:
We are looking for a student with a keen interest in biological tissue and the structure-function relationships therein, with particular skills in the above mentioned imaging tools and mechanical testing procedures. Interest in and a willingness to learn about respiratory physiology and computational modelling are also important. This project is highly interdisciplinary, and will involve working with animal tissue, imaging tools, mechanical testing equipment and computational software.
Funding:
Funding is available for a PhD student stipend through the Chemical and Materials Engineering Department.
Application:
Please apply (by emailing to k.burrowes@auckland.ac.nz) with your CV and a covering letter outlining how your skills and experience specifically align with the project outline and candidate requirements.
Main supervisor: Kelly Burrowes, k.burrowes@auckland.ac.nz
Co-supervisor: Ashvin Thambyah, ashvin.thambyah@auckland.ac.nz
Department: Chemical and Materials Engineering
Research theme: Technologies for Health
Description:
The efficiency of lung function, or the lack thereof in respiratory disease, is governed by the complex interplay between lung tissue architecture and resultant mechanical properties of the tissue. The main function of the lung is gas exchange; this is achieved by bringing air and blood into contact over a vast surface area. In this project we are aiming to increase our understanding of lung tissue microstructure (including arrangement of elastin, collagen and proteoglycans) and micromechanical properties. This project will apply various imaging modalities and mechanical testing methodologies (scanning electron, and optical microscopy to visualise structure and atomic force microscopy and tensile testing to measure mechanical properties) to establish an understanding of normal lung tissue microstructure and mechanics, with a view towards understanding changes occurring with age and in disease. Initial procedures will be established using animal tissue. Tissue measurements will be used to parameterise a computational model of lung tissue mechanics – initially at the microstructural scale but with a vision towards linking to organ level lung mechanics.
Candidate requirements:
We are looking for a student with a keen interest in biological tissue and the structure-function relationships therein, with particular skills in the above mentioned imaging tools and mechanical testing procedures. Interest in and a willingness to learn about respiratory physiology and computational modelling are also important. This project is highly interdisciplinary, and will involve working with animal tissue, imaging tools, mechanical testing equipment and computational software.
Funding:
Funding is available for a PhD student stipend through the Chemical and Materials Engineering Department.
Application:
Please apply (by emailing to k.burrowes@auckland.ac.nz) with your CV and a covering letter outlining how your skills and experience specifically align with the project outline and candidate requirements.
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