FULLY FUNDED PhD - Substrate-Dependent Extracellular Vesicle Engineering from Mesenchymal Stromal Cells: Tailoring EV Characteristics to Reduce MSC Senescence

About the Project

To apply, please click institution website.

Start date: 01 October 2026

We are seeking enthusiastic candidates to join three fully funded PhD studentships offered at the Centre for the Cellular Microenvironment (CeMi) at the University of Glasgow under the themes Stromal Cell Biology, Stemness, Senescence and Non-Animal Technologies.

The CeMi is a unique multidisciplinary research environment that brings together researchers from the School of Molecular Biosciences and the School of Engineering. Our research is focussed on understanding the interactions between materials, proteins and cells to engineer and control cell behaviour. More about our research can be found at: https://glasgow.thecemi.org/ and https://www.mainstream-hub.org.

This project investigates whether extracellular vesicles (EVs) - nanoscale signalling particles secreted by cells - can be harnessed to combat cell senescence in mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), a critical barrier to their therapeutic use in regenerative medicine. When MSCs are expanded in the laboratory they undergo premature ageing, losing their regenerative potential; this project hypothesis is that the extracellular matrix substrate on which MSCs are cultured directly shapes the content and function of the EVs they produce. MSCs will be grown on either fibronectin or laminin across multiple passages, with fibronectin-cultured cells expected to produce EVs reflecting a pro-senescent state while laminin, predicted to mimic the natural stem cell niche, is expected to sustain MSC potency and yield EVs enriched with protective, anti-senescence cargo. These substrate-derived EVs will then be applied to naïve MSCs to assess their capacity to transfer either senescent or rejuvenating signals. EV cargo analysis will identify the key molecular mediators responsible for these effects, with the ultimate goal of developing an EV-based supplement for MSC manufacturing pipelines that could reduce cost, improve consistency, and enhance the clinical viability of cell therapies.

Eligibility requirements: The student will have obtained, or be expected to obtain, a minimum of an upper second class undergraduate degree in a biological sciences and biomedical engineering (or related) degree. A relevant Masters degree is desirable but not essential. Funding is available for UK/home students only.

To apply please provide a CV and covering letter outlining your suitability and motivation for pursuing this PhD, and the names and contact details of two people we can contact to provide references.

For more information about this project please contact: catherine.berry@glasgow.ac.uk

Funding Notes

UKRI rates, £21,805 currently. Bench fees are up to £5k per year, or up to £17.5k total.