Project Theme: Bioengineering and Human Factors, Fluid Dynamics and Water and Environment

Continuous measurement of biomolecule/drug concentrations directly from biological tissue fluids offers the exciting possibility of understanding physiological or pathological processes, recording responses to stimuli, drug metabolism, and even developing new therapies that use biomarker levels to guide treatment in real time.

In this project, we will develop a droplet microfluidic based portable chemical sensor. The sensor will be developed in Dr. Xize Niu’s lab and tested in clinical settings with the second supervisor Dr. David Voegeli and collaborators from hospitals, for real-time sampling and monitoring of dynamic immune/metabolic responses of tissue or cells. We envisage this novel technology will revolutionize the current practices of sampling and chemical sensing, and find broad applications in disease diagnostics and monitoring, drug development and the other areas.

The successful candidate could come with an Engineering background (Electrical, Mechanical, and Bioengineering etc.) for developing microfluidics and the sensor device; or with Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Medical science related background for developing sensitive assay, detection and clinical applications. You will work with a group of highly motivated, first class research fellows and PG students from Univ. Southampton, Imperial College and Clinicians from hospitals. This project will provide an excellent opportunity for working across the engineering – diagnostics/healthcare interface. The successful candidate will obtain world leading training in a range of disciplines during the PhD including, advanced micro and nano fabrication, microfluidics, biosensor development and high resolution microscopy.

This 3-year studentship is supported by Institute for Life Sciences and Faculty of Engineering and the Environment, University of Southampton, and is available to UK/EU applicants will fully covered fees and stipends. Overseas student need to bring additional funding/scholarships to cover fees difference. If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact Dr Xize Niu, Email: X.Niu@soton.ac.uk .