Programmable Bioprinting of Human iPSC-Derived Cardiac Tissues: Linking Architecture to Function

Students from a wide diversity of academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Projects are available for excellent students in our Research Centre for Discoveries in Life Sciences | Coventry University

Project Outline

The heart derives its function from the precise 3D organisation of cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts within a defined extracellular environment, yet recreating this architecture remains a major challenge. Developing strategies to engineer structure-function relationships is essential for building reproducible human cardiac tissue models.

This project investigates how engineered 3D architecture controls the structural, metabolic, and functional maturation of human iPSC-derived cardiac tissues. Combining stem cell biology with SLA-based bioprinting, the student will create cardiac constructs with defined microarchitectures to determine how physical properties shape tissue function.

The project will establish a materials-engineering framework for photocurable bioinks for high-resolution SLA cardiac tissue fabrication. CAD-driven designs and controlled photopolymerisation will enable precise tuning of layer thickness, exposure conditions, resolution, and geometry. Bioink formulations will balance printability, mechanical stability, and cellular compatibility, tuning viscosity, crosslink density, stiffness, porosity, and degradation to create ECM-like environments supporting cell organisation. Electron microscopy and fluorescence imaging will quantify printing fidelity and cell organisation.

A central objective is determining how engineered microenvironments drive functional maturation. Tissues will be assessed for contractility, calcium handling, and electrophysiological activity, followed by pharmacological challenge experiments to assess physiological responsiveness.

By integrating biofabrication, stem cell engineering, and functional phenotyping, this project will establish transferable design principles for complex multicellular tissues.

Studentship details

As an MIBTP Scholar you will join a comprehensive Training Programme that runs concurrently with your PhD.

• Full tuition fees (at UK rate)*
• A tax free annual stipend (currently £21,805 in academic year 2026-27)
• A travel/conference budget
• A generous consumables budget
• Use of a MacBook Pro for the duration of the programme.

*Coventry University will fund the difference between the UK tuition fee rate and the international tuition fee rate.

Entry criteria

Entry criteria for applicants to Doctoral Study:

• Minimum of a 2:1 first degree in a relevant discipline/subject area with a minimum 60% mark in the project element or equivalent with a minimum 60% overall module average
• An adequate proficiency in English must be demonstrated by applicants whose first language is not English. The general requirement is a minimum overall IELTS Academic score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each of the four sections, or the TOEFL iBT test with a minimum overall score of 95 with a minimum of 21 in each of the four sections.

Find out more about Coventry University's entry criteria.

More information

In order to apply for a Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership PhD you must:

Check your eligibility.

• Complete the ED&I form, which also acts as an expression of interest in MIBTP and helps us monitor our ED&I commitments at every step of the application process
• Our academic directors and the shortlisting panel do not have access to the EDI form and will not see your EDI responses
• Complete an application form
• Review the MIBTP Data Privacy PolicyLink to understand how we process your personal data.

To find out more information, contact Katie.Choudhry@coventry.ac.uk for administrative questions.

Visit the frequently asked questions page.

Funding Notes

Tuition fees and Stipend