About the Project
Cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and aortic aneurysms develop when communication between cells in the blood vessel wall becomes disrupted. This PhD project will investigate how endothelial cells, which line the inside of blood vessels and sense blood flow, communicate with vascular smooth muscle cells, which provide strength and structure to the vessel wall. A key focus of the project is polycystin-1, encoded by the PKD1 gene. PKD1 is best known for its role in polycystic kidney…
disease, but emerging evidence suggests that it also plays an important role in vascular biology, helping blood vessel cells respond to mechanical forces generated by blood flow. However, its role in regulating communication between endothelial and smooth muscle cells remains largely unknown.
Using human vascular cell models, the student will investigate whether loss of endothelial PKD1 alters smooth muscle cell behaviour, including changes in cell phenotype, migration, proliferation, inflammatory responses and extracellular matrix remodelling. This laboratory-based project combines fundamental vascular biology with clinically relevant questions in cardiovascular disease. It is designed to deliver meaningful mechanistic insights using focused and achievable experimental approaches.
Training and research environment: The student will join a supportive and multidisciplinary cardiovascular research community within the School of Medicine and Population Health at the University of Sheffield. Training will include human endothelial and smooth muscle cell culture, co-culture models, gene silencing approaches, fluorescence microscopy and immunostaining, qPCR and protein-based assays, and quantitative image and data analysis. Depending on project progress and student interests, there may also be opportunities to gain experience in flow-based mechanobiology assays, vascular permeability studies and bioinformatic analysis of publicly available datasets.
Why Sheffield?
This project sits within a wider research programme investigating how mechanical forces shape vascular health and disease. The supervisory team combines expertise in vascular mechanobiology, endothelial cell biology, cardiovascular disease mechanisms, translational vascular research, advanced imaging and molecular techniques.
A key strength of the project is its focus on an important but underexplored question: how endothelial force-sensing pathways influence neighbouring smooth muscle cells and contribute to vascular disease. The project is closely aligned with current research in the group and offers the student the opportunity to contribute to a growing programme in cardiovascular mechanobiology.
Beyond technical training, the student will develop skills in experimental design, scientific communication, publishing, grant writing and research leadership. There will be opportunities to present findings at national and international conferences and contribute to peer-reviewed publications.
Career opportunities
This PhD will provide excellent preparation for careers in academic research, cardiovascular and biomedical science, biotechnology and pharmaceutical research, translational medicine, and data-driven bioscience and health research.
The project would suit a motivated applicant with an interest in cardiovascular biology, cell signalling and mechanobiology.
Further information about postgraduate research at Sheffield is available here.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact Dr Jovana Serbanovic-Canic before applying to discuss the project, their background and potential funding options.
Proposed start date: 01 March 2027
Entry Requirements: Candidates must have a first or upper second class honours degree or equivalent, in a relevant subject such as biomedical science, physiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, pharmacology, medicine, bioengineering or a related discipline.
Previous laboratory experience in cell culture, molecular biology, imaging, cardiovascular biology or bioinformatics would be advantageous, but is not essential as full training will be provided.
Applicants should have a strong interest in cardiovascular disease mechanisms, vascular biology, cell signalling or mechanobiology, and should be motivated to develop both experimental and analytical research skills.
How to apply
Please complete a University Postgraduate Research Application form available here.
Funding Notes
This PhD project is open to self-funded applicants. This project is for 3.5 years, so applicants must have secured, or be able to secure, funding to cover 3.5 years of University tuition fees, living costs and an annual fee enhancement of £5,000 for the duration of the programme, either through personal funds or an external scholarship/sponsorship. No annual stipend, travel bursary or Research Training Support Grant is attached to this project.
This is open to both home and overseas applicants.
Further information on tuition fees can be found on the following webpage - View Website.
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