Non-linear flows of antibodies

Non-linear flows of antibodies will be explored using next generation photonics techniques during this PhD studentship; a partnership between the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Manchester and FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are produced at increasingly high concentrations to provide economy of scale during manufacturing and are formulated at increasingly high concentrations to improve patient outcomes e.g. in immunological treatments of cancers to reduce the evolution of resistant tumours. Flows of mAbs demonstrate a series of challenges:

i) They are opaque,

ii) They experience diverse aggregation phenomena,

iii) They are viscoelastic.

We have a suite of photonic instrumentation that will be used to explore flow behaviour of concentrated mAbs that involve phenomena i), ii) and iii). We will examine:

a) Optical coherence tomography (OCT) for the microfluidics of mAbs. We will continue to develop OCT techniques for velocimetry and sizing1,2. Inclusion of an electro-optical modulator will allow velocimetry over a wider range of velocities than previously achieved and we will continue to explore possibilities for particle sizing using OCT dynamic light scattering.

b) What is the non-linear microrheology of mAbs? We were the first group to demonstrate that mAbs are viscoelastic3. We will extend these studies to consider the non-linear microrheology of mAbs that is directly relevant to their production and delivery (syringeability)4. We will use magnetic microrheology to explore the non-linear viscoelasticity.

c) What is the structure of mAb gels? We measured the gelation transition of industrially relevant mAbs via pH switching. We will use super-resolution fluorescence microscopy to image mAb gels at ~20 nm similar to previous work on synthetic gels5. The study of mAb amyloids is relevant to human disease and the phase behaviour of high concentration mAbs at low pHs is relevant industrially for viral inactivation and chromatographic purification during processing.

Eligibility

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2.1 honours degree or a master’s (or international equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering related discipline.

Funding

At Manchester we offer a range of scholarships, studentships and awards at university, faculty and department level, to support both UK and overseas postgraduate researchers applying for competition and self-funded projects.

For more information, visit our funding page or search our funding database for specific scholarships, studentships and awards you may be eligible for.

Before you apply

We strongly recommend that you contact the supervisor(s) for this project before you apply. Please include details of your current level of study, academic background and any relevant experience and include a paragraph about your motivation to study this PhD project.

How to apply

Apply online through our website: https://uom.link/pgr-apply-2425

When applying, you’ll need to specify the full name of this project, the name of your supervisor, if you already having funding or if you wish to be considered for available funding through the university, details of your previous study, and names and contact details of two referees.

Your application will not be processed without all of the required documents submitted at the time of application, and we cannot accept responsibility for late or missed deadlines. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

After you have applied you will be asked to upload the following supporting documents:

• Final Transcript and certificates of all awarded university level qualifications
• Interim Transcript of any university level qualifications in progress
• CV
• Supporting statement: A one or two page statement outlining your motivation to pursue postgraduate research and why you want to undertake postgraduate research at Manchester, any relevant research or work experience, the key findings of your previous research experience, and techniques and skills you’ve developed. (This is mandatory for all applicants and the application will be put on hold without it).
• Contact details for two referees (please make sure that the contact email you provide is an official university/work email address as we may need to verify the reference)
• English Language certificate (if applicable)

If you have any questions about making an application, please contact our admissions team by emailing FSE.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk.

Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities. We know that diversity strengthens our research community, leading to enhanced research creativity, productivity and quality, and societal and economic impact.

We actively encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds and from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status.

We also support applications from those returning from a career break or other roles. We consider offering flexible study arrangements (including part-time: 50%, 60% or 80%, depending on the project/funder).