Overview
This PhD program offers the opportunity to train at the interface between biomaterials and immunotherapy, shaping the future of therapeutics. You will work on a multidisciplinary project that combines chemistry, biology, and medicine, studying how the body’s immune system responds to advanced synthetic materials and learning how to control these responses to improve therapies.
About this opportunity
The project aims to understand how the physical and chemical properties of polymeric biomaterials affect immune recognition, activation, and tolerance. You will help design materials that interact with the immune system in predictable ways, enabling better integration in regenerative medicine and safer delivery of drugs or biologics.
Joining the Immunocompatibility Group in the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics at the University of Liverpool, led by Professor Neill Liptrott, and the Street Group in Soft Matter in the Department of Chemistry, led by Dr Steven Street. This partnership combines world-leading expertise in immunology and materials chemistry. The Liptrott group investigates the interactions between complex medicines, biomaterials, and immune cells, with a focus on complement activation, macrophage function, and inflammasome pathways. The Street group specialises in synthesising precision polymer nanomaterials with tailored sizes, shapes and surface chemistry. You will utilise this expertise to develop and test a new generation of biomaterials that can either mitigate inflammation or promote tissue repair.
Training will cover the full experimental pipeline, from polymer synthesis to advanced biological testing. You will learn polymer chemistry, self-assembly, and surface modification, supported by the state-of-the-art facilities in the Materials Innovation Factory and the Albert Crewe Centre for Electron Microscopy. You will then investigate immune responses using primary human immune cells and advanced analytical techniques, including flow cytometry, multiplex cytokine assays, and bioenergetic analysis. The project will also develop your skills in molecular and cellular immunology, data analysis, and quantitative imaging.
Both groups have a strong culture of mentoring, teamwork, and open discussion. You will work alongside postdoctoral researchers, PhD, and MSc students across pharmacology, immunology, and chemistry, gaining exposure to interdisciplinary thinking. Regular meetings, seminars, and joint supervision ensure that you receive guidance and feedback while developing independence, benefiting from structured training provided by the Liverpool Doctoral College and the Northwest Doctoral Training Partnership. This training covers scientific, technical, and transferable skills, including project management, communication, and leadership.
The project has been developed to be both ambitious and achievable, with a clear phased structure that sets meaningful milestones. By participating, you will gain valuable insights into how the immune system interacts with designed materials and plays a pivotal role in developing safe and effective biomaterials for therapeutic use. This PhD program serves as a gateway to a dynamic career in academia, biotechnology, or the biopharmaceutical industry, providing a solid foundation in Immuno Engineering, biomaterials science, and translational research.
This studentship is ideal for candidates passionate about scientific research and eager to develop innovative solutions to complex problems. A background in biological or chemical sciences is preferred, but applications from other disciplines are also welcome, as all necessary training will be provided.
Further reading
1. C. A. W. David, J. P. Vermeulen, S. Gioria, R. J. Vandebriel, N. J. Liptrott “Nano(bio)Materials Do Not Affect Macrophage Phenotype-A Study Conducted by the REFINE Project.” Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25, 5491.
2. H. C. Parkin, S. T. G. Street, B. Gowen, L. H. Da-Silva-Correa, R. Hof, H. L. Buckley, I. Manners “Mechanism of Action and Design of Potent Antibacterial Block Copolymer Nanoparticles” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2024, 146, 5128-5141.
3. C. A. W. David, L. J. J. De La Fonteyne-Blankestijn, J. P. Vermeulen, A. J. Plant-Hately, R. J. Vandebriel, N. J. Liptrott “Application of KU812 cells for assessing complement activation related effects by nano(bio)materials.” Biomed. Pharmacother. 2023, 163, 114841.
4. R. J. Vandebriel, C. A. W. David, J. P. Vermeulen, N. J. Liptrott “An inter-laboratory comparison of an NLRP3 inflammasome activation assay and dendritic cell maturation assay using a nanostructured lipid carrier and a polymeric nanomedicine as exemplars.” Drug Deliv. Transl. Res. 2022, 12, 2225-2242.
5. S. T. G. Street, J. Chrenek, R. Harniman, K. Letwin, J. M. Mantell, U. Borucu, S. M. Willerth, I. Manners “Length-controlled Nanofiber Micelleplexes as Efficient Nucleic Acid Delivery Vehicles” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2022, 144, 43, 19799–19812.