PhD Studentship: Fully Funded PhD Studentship in Cardiovascular Science: Extracellular vesicles in cardiovascular diseases
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a common inherited heart disease and a leading cause of heart failure and sudden cardiac death in young adults. While often caused by faults in heart muscle proteins, how these genetic changes lead to heart thickening, scarring and electrical instability remains poorly understood.
This project will use advanced human cell models, molecular and imaging approaches to investigate how extracellular vesicles and other signalling mechanisms drive communication between cardiac cells and disease progression in HCM. You will work with human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cardiomyocytes and supporting cells carrying a clinically relevant HCM-causing mutation to:
- Compare the structure and function of healthy and diseased cells.
- Investigate how communication between cardiac cells contributes to maladaptive remodelling.
- Identify molecular changes that could inform future biomarkers or therapeutic targets.
You will gain training in human cell culture, extracellular vesicle isolation and characterisation, advanced microscopy, cardiac functional assays and molecular/proteomic analysis, providing a strong foundation for a career in cardiovascular research, stem cell biology or translational medicine.
References:
- 1) Sanwlani & Camelliti. Extracellular Vesicles in Cardiac Cell Crosstalk: from Intercellular Communication to Clinical Translation. Cardiovascular Drugs and Therapy, 1-22 (2025).
- 2) Sanwlani et al, Pharmacological inhibition of small extracellular vesicle secretion by ALK5i SD‐208 via lysosomal rerouting of CD63+ compartments. Journal of Extracellular Vesicles 15 (9), e70362 (2026).
- 3) Johnson, Lei, McVey, Camelliti. Human myofibroblasts increase the arrhythmogenic potential of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences 80 (9), 276 (2023).
Supervisors: Dr Patrizia Camelliti
Entry requirements
Open to candidates who pay UK/home rate fees. See UKCISA for further information. Starting in April 2027. Later start dates are possible, please contact Dr Patrizia Camelliti once the deadline passes.
You will need to meet the minimum entry requirements for our PhD programme.
Applicants should hold (or be about to obtain) a first or upper second-class honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject area including; medical sciences, biomedical sciences, biomedical engineering, molecular biology, physiology, biochemistry or related disciplines.
Scientific curiosity, strong communication and organisational skills, a proactive and flexible approach to work, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team are essential.
An MSc/MRes in cardiovascular/molecular science with merit or distinction and/or previous research experience in molecular biology or cell biology would be advantageous.
How to apply
Informal enquiries should be directed to Dr Patrizia Camelliti.
Initial applications must include the following and should be emailed directly to p.camelliti@surrey.ac.uk
- A CV/resume which includes modules taken with grades (or expected grades)
- A supporting statement highlighting your primary motivation for applying for a PhD studentship and to this project, outlining any research experience and your career ambitions
- Contact details for two academic referees (include any recent research mentor or supervisor)
- Certificates and transcripts from all your current/previous degrees
- Official English Language transcript (IELTS or TOEFL), if applicable
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted directly. Interviews are expected to take place in November 2026. The start date is April 2027.
Funding
Funding covers tuition fees at the Home rate, associated research/training expenses and an annual tax-free stipend at UKRI rates (£21,805 for 2026-27).
Application deadline
31 October 2026
Enquiries
Contact Dr Patrizia Camelliti
Ref
PGR-2526-019
Funding covers tuition fees at the Home rate, associated research/training expenses and an annual tax-free stipend at UKRI rates (£21,805 for 2026-27).