Development of an immune-infiltrated adipose tissue-on-a-chip model for interactions between inflammation and dysfunction

About the Project

While healthy adipose tissue (AT) is key for energy storage and heat generation, its dysfunction contributes to the development of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases as well as cancer. AT dysfunction is characterized by chronic inflammation whereby immune cells infiltrate the tissue and induce further metabolic disturbances, contributing to a vicious cycle of AT dysfunction.

This exciting PhD studentship will develop new organ-on-chip models to recapitulate this vicious cycle of AT dysfunction, and couple them to a digital twin. The student will start by developing an advanced multicellular model of human AT, before introducing macrophage infiltration via state-of-the-art microfluidics. The student will then use this setup to inform the development of a computational model capturing the interactions between macrophage behaviour and AT dysfunction, leveraging the synergy between experimental and computational models.

Overall, this project will provide clinically-relevant in-vitro/in-silico disease models to investigate therapeutic avenues to counter AT dysfunction. Applications include obesity/diabetes disease modelling, dual-organ investigations (e.g: adipose-liver, adipose-cartilage interactions), as well as studies on bone-marrow fat influence on bone cancer.

The project is supported by our partnership with the organ-chip company, CN-Bio, and will use their commercial state-of-the-art multi-organ platform available within the Centre. This studentship also includes the option of a placement in CN-Bio's laboratories in Cambridge. The student will be part of a large multi-disciplinary organ-chip research group and will be supported by 3 post docs working on a new EPSRC grant in this area of organ-chip technology (EPSRC grant: Organ-chips for accelerated deployment of new medicines)

This project is part of the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Next Generation Organ on a Chip Technology (COaCT)

Who should apply?

We are looking for students who have an enthusiasm for organ-on-a-chip technologies, with a range of backgrounds including biology, biochemistry, genetics, materials science, biomedical engineering and other related subjects. Students should have some experimental background and enthusiasm for working in the laboratory. Applicants are not expected to have experience in all elements of this field; training will be provided as part of the PhD to support the development of important skills.

Application Process

Applications for this project are through the COaCT admissions process. Applicants are asked to make one application to the COaCT and list their project preferences from all project currently available as listed here: http://www.cpm.qmul.ac.uk/cdt/projects/projects2026open

The process is explained in detail here: http://www.cpm.qmul.ac.uk/cdt/applications/stepbystep

Funding Notes

The successful applicants will be fully funded (fees and stipend). For 2026/27, the annual stipend rate, including London Allowance, will be £23,805.