Point-of-care platelet diagnostics

About the Project

Project Overview:

Platelets are small blood cells that play a vital role in the chronic and acute progression of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD), but also have roles in immunity, inflammation, cancer metastasis, Alzheimer's disease and a range of infections, such as dengue, HIV-1, malaria, and COVID-19. In the UK, and other countries, 98% of all patients with coronary heart disease receive anti-platelet therapy. There were 38.6 million prescriptions for anti-platelet drugs in England in 2013, an increase from 3.6 million in 1991, and 18.9 million in 2001 (Bhatnagar et al, Heart 2015). Thrombotic disease, however, is still a leading cause of morbidity and mortality emphasising the need for more refined, safer and more effective anti-platelet strategies.

Accurate and accessible measurement of platelet function is essential for enabling early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of a range of diseases. Currently, platelet function assessment is not included in the clinical pathway because of the limitations of lab-based and point-of-care platelet function testing. Lab-based tests provide high-quality data but are logistically unsuitable for large-scale testing, requiring specialised labs and immediate analysis of fresh blood. Point-of-care tests offer convenience but lower-quality data unsuitable for stratification.

This project will solve this problem by developing microfluidic platelet function tests that provide detailed, accurate measurements but can be used everywhere by everyone.

The Jones lab, along with HaemAnalytica (a platelet diagnostics company co-founded by Dr Jones), have extensive experience developing platelet function tests. For this project the student will be provided with full training in a range of biochemistry techniques include (but not limited to) – flow cytometry, confocal andsuper-resolution microscopy, manipulation of megakaryocytic cell lines (using CRISPR-Cas9 system), as well as product design and testing.

Dr Jones Lab:

Based within the new Health and Life Sciences building, Dr Jones lab sits within the Reading Platelet Groupwhich is home to one of the most vibrant platelet research communities in the world – comprising six academic staff whose focus is platelet biology, over 30 post-docs and PhD students and collaborative projects that span the Biological Sciences, Pharmacy, Nutrition, Biomedical Engineering, and Maths.

School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading:

The University of Reading, located west of London, England, provides world-class research education programs. The University’s main Whiteknights Campus is set in 130 hectares of beautiful parkland, a 30-minute train ride to central London and 40 minutes from London Heathrow airport.

Our School of Biological Sciences conducts high-impact research, tackling current global challenges faced by society and the planet. Our research ranges from understanding and improving human health and combating disease, through to understanding evolutionary processes and uncovering new ways to protect the natural world. In 2020, we moved into a stunning new ~£60 million Health & Life Sciences building. This state-of-the-art facility is purpose-built for science research and teaching. It houses the Cole Museum of Zoology, a café and social spaces.

In the School of Biological Sciences, you will be joining a vibrant community of ~180 PhD students representing ~40 nationalities. Our students publish in high-impact journals, present at international conferences, and organise a range of exciting outreach and public engagement activities.

During your PhD at the University of Reading, you will expand your research knowledge and skills, receiving supervision in one-to-one and small group sessions. You will have access to cutting-edge technology and learn the latest research techniques. We also provide dedicated training in important transferable skills that will support your career aspirations. If English is not your first language, the University's excellent International Study and Language Institute will help you develop your academic English skills.

The University of Reading is a welcoming community for people of all faiths and cultures. We are committed to a healthy work-life balance and will work to ensure that you are supported personally and academically.

Eligibility:

Applicants should have a good degree in biology, biochemistry, biomedical science, biomedical engineering or a strongly-related discipline. Applicants will also need to meet the University’s English Language requirements. We offer pre-sessional courses that can help with meeting these requirements. With a commitment to improving diversity in science and engineering, we encourage applications from underrepresented groups.

How to apply:

Submit an application for a PhD in Biomedical Sciences via ouronline application system

Further information:

https://www.reading.ac.uk/biological-sciences/research

Enquiries:

Dr. Chris Jones, email: c.i.jones@reading.ac.uk

Funding Notes

We welcome applications from self-funded students worldwide for this project.

If you are applying to an international funding scheme, we encourage you to get in contact as we may be able to support you in your application.