About the Project
This fully funded, 3-year, PhD scholarship offers a unique opportunity for a bright and motivated individual to work on an exciting project between Cardiff Metropolitan University and the Welsh Blood Service (WBS). Blood components including plasma, red blood cells and platelets are processed and supplied for the whole of Wales by WBS. In accordance with Guidelines for the Blood Transfusion Services in the UK (8th Edition) and in compliance with the regulatory requirements of the Medicines and…
Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the safety and quality of blood components are assured by the strict requirements for the taking, processing and storage of blood from healthy donors. Despite meeting specifications, during the storage period deterioration of the cellular components occurs due to a range of biochemical and biomechanical changes occurring in both red cells and platelets. These detrimental changes are well documented and referred to as the “storage lesion”. Whilst these changes do not affect the blood components meeting regulatory specifications, they limit storage time and may impact the beneficial efficacy of the components following transfusion to a patient. As such, there is a growing interest in better understanding the nature of the storage lesions and how these relate to the quality and efficacy of blood components.
Conditions for platelet component storage were investigated and established in the 1970s and largely remain unchanged, hence in the UK platelets are routinely stored at ambient temperature under constant agitation for 7 days, whilst red cell components are stored at refrigerated temperatures for 35 days. This research scholarship will focus on applying a variety of techniques and model systems to investigate the nature of the storage lesions and test whether processing and storage conditions can be modified in order to improve the efficacy of the blood components that form part of the treatment in a wide range of patients.
This PhD scholarship will build on the findings of two previous successful PhD collaborations in which we gained a better understanding of the limiting effects of the storage environment, and in particular, the influence of platelet concentration, O2 consumption in relation to adequate O2 distribution in platelet packs, and the effect of shear forces generated under limiting storage conditions. The next step will be to modify these factors to improve platelet quality and function and identify other factors that limit the shelf life and/or efficacy of blood components.
Our group also has an established interest in extracellular vesicles (EV) generated by cells. EVs produced by platelets are particularly relevant because they are known to be 50-100 times more coagulative than platelets themselves under certain conditions. Platelet derived EVs can also prime blood vessel lining (endothelium). The haemostatic potential and stimulatory effect of introducing platelet EVs via a blood product during transfusion is relatively unexplored and is an exciting area of research which is yet to be explored in patient settings.
We seek an individual who is bright, enthusiastic, and keen to work with us to apply new ideas to challenge established protocols. The successful candidate will in turn benefit from considerable experience across a multi-disciplinary team and will be trained in applying novel and state of the art techniques to address the project aims.
Please submit all enquiries to either Amanda Davies (amdavies@cardiffmet.ac.uk) or Philip James (pjames@cardiffmet.ac.uk)
Interviews expected for shortlisted candidates on or before November 1st 2026, for preferred registration in January 2027.
Please submit a CV and personal statement (200words max) of why you want to do a PhD and have interest in this specific PhD to ESSHResearchDegrees@cardiffmet.ac.uk.
Funding Notes
Supported by the Welsh Blood Service and Cardiff Metropolitan University. Funding to include : PhD fees, full PhD stipend (paid at standard MRC rates), Student Professional Development and Consumables/Reagent costs.