Ph.D. Research Project Available in Developmental Biology/ Biomedical Engineering

A 4 year postgraduate research (Ph.D.) project is available with funding from the Trinity SFI AOIP interdisciplinary scheme.

This is a joint project between the Department of Zoology (Dr Paula Murphy) and The Trinity Centre for Bioengineering (Prof. Patrick Prendergast).
Project title: The combined role of mechanics and genetics in joint morphogenesis in the developing limb, and identification of mechanosensitive genes
Description: One of the great outstanding questions in biology is how genes regulate the complex patterns of cell differentiation and morphogenesis seen in the embryo. It has often been proposed that mechanical forces play a role via mechanosensitive genes - but this hypothesis has never been rigorously tested. This project will examine how mechanical forces influence genetic and molecular events leading to the definition of the knee joint in the developing limb (using the chick as a model). It will combine biological analysis of real specimens with computational predictions and simulations. The project will involve 3-dimensional imaging of the developing limb, following a number of genetic and histological markers to describe the shape changes involved in detail. This will be combined with computer modelling to determine if patterns of biophysical stimuli correlate with gene expression, and to use this to develop an algorithm to simulate bone development in the limb.
Applicants with an appropriate background in Biology or Biomedical Engineering are invited.
Start date: October 2005
Enquiries and applications to Dr. Paula Murphy, Zoology Department, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
email: paula.murphy@tcd.ie Telephone: +353-1-608 3780. For more information see

http://www.tcd.ie/Zoology/text/murphy.htm and http://www.biomechanics.ie