Integration of localized electrically deciphered epigenetic profiles for enhanced stem cell therapy

One fully funded Frederick E Hopper full-time PhD scholarship is available in the School of Dentistry for a start in October 2025. The scholarship will cover UK tuition fees and attract a stipend matching the UKRI rate (£19,237 for 2024/25), subject to satisfactory progress.<br /> The award is open to full-time or part-time candidates (UK only) who meet the eligibility for a place on a PhD degree at the School of Dentistry. This project would suit a student with a background in physical science with interest in biological systems, or in biological science with an interest in physical techniques.

<p>The global regenerative medicine market size was US$28.62 billion in 2022 and is projected to be US$197.08 billion by 2030, which was driven by the increasing demand for innovative medical treatments. However, the effectiveness of these therapies are big challenges for clinical translation.</p> <p>Following the dawn of AI, the real-time sensing and monitoring play a crucial role in enhancing regenerative medicine technologies. To capitalise on this market expansion and technological revolution, this proposal seeks to combine the expertise in stem cells (Dr Yang), biomaterials (Prof Tronci), microbiology (Dr Do) and bioelectrical engineering (Dr Gao, RWTH, Germany) and <strong>aims to advance our understanding of epigenetic control in stem cell differentiation by employing a novel cutting-edge approach in dynamic real-time sensing and monitoring with biohybrid electronics.</strong> Focusing on human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) osteogenic differentiation, our approach leverages our expertise in epigenetic modification [1,2] and biohybrid electronic sensors [3,4] to decipher the mechanism of stem cell functionality on 3D hydrogel scaffolds with photodynamic infection control capability [5]. This approach offers unprecedented insight into cellular dynamics, facilitates the identification of regulatory factors and critical time points, enables personalized treatment strategies, enhances drug screening, and promotes translation to clinical applications for improved bone regeneration and patient care.</p> <p>HDPSCs pre-treated with histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) MI-192 are collected for epigenetic analysis to identify the epigenetic signatures associated with cellular responses, specific stimuli, and epigenetic modifications. The micro/nano-electronic & fabrication technologies allow non-invasive multidimensional cell-sensor coupling and hybrid biosignal integration so that localized electric stimulation and signal recording will be delivered to guide stem cell differentiation. The biohybrid electronic chips for multielectrode arrays (cutting-edge biosensing technologies) will be applied to sense, stimulate and record epigenetic signals of hDPSCs and bacteria on/in 3D hydrogel scaffolds in real-time, which will <strong>lead to a readable and programmable epigenetic control system</strong>, offering <strong>multidimensional tools</strong> to promote bespoke <strong>stem cell therapy, infection diagnosis and staining-free photodynamic infection control.</strong> This project fits well with the School’s research strategy and priority in regenerative dentistry, biomaterials and oral microbiology.</p> <p>This project will deliver new research capabilities aiming to establish a novel platform that integrates cutting-edge technologies in non-invasive electronics, epigenetic control of stem cell functionality and photodynamic infection control, promising a versatile toolkit for fostering advancements in stem cell research and regenerative therapies. In addition, this project will establish a new international collaboration with a leading research group in Germany, which will offer the foundations for external grant applications, such as Horizon 2020, BBSRC, and NC3Rs.</p> <h5>References: </h5> <ol> <li>Lu, W.; Ji, K.; Lawlor, L.; Saha, S.; Hempshall, A.; Jin, Y.; Yang, X.B. The effect of epigenetic reprogramming using mi192 HDAC inhibitor on enhancing the osteogenesis of human adipose-derived stem cells in vitro. Biosci Rep <strong>2023</strong>, 43. </li> <li>Man, K.; Mekhileri, N.V.; Lim, K.S.; Jiang, L.H.; Woodfield, T.B.F.; Yang, X.B. Mi192 induced epigenetic reprogramming enhances the therapeutic efficacy of human bone marrows stromal cells for bone regeneration. Bone <strong>2021</strong>, 153, 116138. </li> <li>Liang, Q.; Xia, X.; Sun, X.; Yu, D.; Huang, X.; Han, G.; Mugo, S.M.; Chen, W.; Zhang, Q. Highly stretchable hydrogels as wearable and implantable sensors for recording physiological and brain neural signals. Adv Sci (Weinh) <strong>2022</strong>, 9, e2201059. </li> <li>Clavaguera, S.; Raoul, N.; Carella, A.; Delalande, M.; Celle, C.; Simonato, J.P. Development of an autonomous detector for sensing of nerve agents based on functionalized silicon nanowire field-effect transistors. Talanta <strong>2011</strong>, 85, 2542-2545. </li> <li>Contreras, A.; Raxworthy, M.J.; Wood, S.; Schiffman, J.D.; Tronci, G. Photodynamically active electrospun fibers for antibiotic-free infection control. ACS Appl Bio Mater <strong>2019</strong>, 2, 4258-4270.</li> </ol> <h5>Other Conditions</h5> <ul> <li> <p>Applicants must not have already been awarded or be currently studying for a doctoral degree.</p> </li> <li> <p>Awards must be taken up by 1st October 2025.</p> </li> <li> <p>Applicants must live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds whilst in receipt of this scholarship.</p> </li> </ul>

<p>To apply for this scholarship opportunity applicants should complete an <a href="https://medicinehealth.leeds.ac.uk/faculty-graduate-school/doc/apply-2">online application form</a> and attach the following documentation to support their application. </p> <ul> <li>A full academic CV</li> <li>Degree certificate and transcripts of marks</li> <li>Evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (if applicable)</li> </ul> <p>To help us identify that you are applying for this scholarship project please ensure you provide the following information on your application form;</p> <ul> <li>Select PhD in Dentistry as your programme of study</li> <li>Give the full project title and name the supervisors listed in this advert</li> <li>For source of funding please state you are applying for a Frederick E Hopper Scholarship</li> </ul> <p>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (below).</p> <p><em>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Across all Faculties we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+ and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.</em></p>

Applicants to this scholarship in the School of Dentistry should normally have an Undergraduate degree of 2:1 or above (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject area. A Master’s degree is desirable, but not essential.

The minimum English language entry requirement for postgraduate research study in the School of Dentistry is an IELTS of 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid.

<p>We are offering 1 full-time PhD scholarship in the School of Dentistry for one UK candidate, covering a maintenance grant matching the UKRI stipend rate (£19,237 for 2024/25) and UK tuition fees for three years, subject to satisfactory progress. The award will be made for one year in the first instance and renewable for a further period of up to two years, subject to satisfactory academic progress. This is one of seven available projects being advertised for the one successful candidate for this scholarship. </p>

<p>For further information please contact the Faculty PGR Admissions Team</p> <p>e: <a href="mailto:fmhpgradmissions@leeds.ac.uk">fmhpgradmissions@leeds.ac.uk</a></p>