Funded PhD in Laminins, Super-Resolution Microscopy and Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa University of Liverpool in United Kingdom

Funded PhD opportunity in laminins, super-resolution microscopy, CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, corneal tissue engineering, and junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB) at the University of Liverpool.

This project, supported by Fight For Sight and DEBRA, sits at the interface of discovery biology and translational research. The student will investigate how patient-specific mutations disrupt laminin-332 assembly and function in the cornea, with a focus on the mechanisms that lead to epithelial fragility, wound breakdown, and scarring in JEB. The work combines advanced imaging, live-cell photoconversion microscopy, and genome editing to study basement membrane organisation at high resolution.

Research activities include engineering precise JEB mutations using CRISPR/Cas9, building human 2D and 3D corneal models, developing engineered collagen scaffolds and biofabricated substrates, and using quantitative screening to test whether candidate drug or gene-based therapies can rescue laminin-332 function. The project is highly multidisciplinary and includes training in cell biology, matrix biochemistry, biomaterials engineering, advanced image analysis, and therapeutic assay development.

Supervision and team expertise include Kevin Hamill (matrix biochemistry), Hannah Levis (cell biology), Lucy Bosworth (biomaterials engineering), and Stephen Kaye (clinical expertise in corneal disease). The project is designed to give the student flexibility to focus on basement membrane assembly, model development, wound-healing biology, or translational screening depending on their interests.

Funding: tuition fees at the UK home rate, a stipend at the current UKRI rate, and some support for experimental costs.

Eligibility/fit: best suited to students interested in cell biology, microscopy, gene editing, tissue engineering, and translational ophthalmic disease research. No deadline is stated in the post.

How to apply: contact Kevin Hamill by email to discuss the project and next steps. The post also links to the project page for more information.