Home 9 PHD PROJECTS 9 Development of flexible interfaces for neural electric stimulation based on nanostructured electrodes

Development of flexible interfaces for neural electric stimulation based on nanostructured electrodes

HOST INSTITUTION

University of Galway. Discipline of Anatomy, School of Medicine (Ireland)

PhD PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The performance of indwelling medical devices that depend on an interface with soft tissue is plagued by complex, unpredictable foreign body responses. Such devices—including breast implants, biosensors, and drug delivery devices—are often subject to a collection of biological host responses, including fibrosis. Fibrosis of soft tissue surrounding these devices can often impair their functionality and cause the devices to become ineffective. The Duffy Lab works on the design and development of novel implantable soft robotic reservoirs and actuators which modulate and withstand the foreign body response, improving functionality and durability of implantable medical devices. This includes the development of a milliscale actuatable dynamic soft reservoir (DSR) that actively modulates the biomechanics of the biotic-abiotic interface by altering tissue dynamics and cellular activity within the implant tissue. Previous work from the lab have found that the actuated DSR shows a significant reduction in fibrous capsule formation and myofibroblasts surrounding the device (1). This work was further expanded to include sensors on the device surface to monitor fibrosis in real time (2). These actuatable DSR device have potential applications in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases to impove tissue/device interfaces and increase longevity of the device. This project will look for ways to monitor and counteract the fibrosis that impedes device function with secondments in Boston Scientific.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RESEARCH SUPERVISOR

    1. Title: Professor of Anatomy and Regenerative Medicine
    2. Full name: Garry P. Duffy
    3. Email: gduffy@universityofgalway.ie
    4. Research project/ Research Group website (Url): https://www.universityofgalway.ie/remedi/research-groups/duffygroup/ 

    Other websites: https://curamdevices.ie/research/technologies-clinical-needs/biomedical-engineering-and-device-design/ 

    RESEARCH GROUP DESCRIPTION

    The Duffy Lab’s current research focuses on advanced biomaterials, cell-based therapies and implantable therapeutic reservoirs as treatments for chronic diseases.  The lab is funded by Enterprise Ireland, Science Foundation Ireland and the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme. To date, research from the Duffy lab has resulted in a range of transformative technologies that allow for therapeutic agents to be deployed in a precise, safe, minimally invasive and maximally efficacious manner.

    APPLICANT’S REQUIREMENTS

    A MSc in Bioengineering or a similar discipline. Experience in cell culture and simplified tissue models. Device Design experience along with product development.

    ADDITIONAL PhD APPLICATION AND RECRUITMENT STEPS

    https://www.universityofgalway.ie/medicine-nursing-and-health-sciences/structured-phd/anatomy.html   

    ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS:

    • Mobility requirements: candidates not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Ireland for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date.
    • Research experience: must be doctoral candidates, i.e. not already in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of recruitment.
    • Candidates must enrol in a doctoral programme in the relevant EU Member State/Associated Country.