By LifETIME CDT Student: Cameron McAnespie (University of Glasgow) Biomaterials have been extensively employed in drug discovery and regenerative medicine to better mimic the three-dimensional nature of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Hydrogels are an optimal choice because they form a mesh-like structure that biomolecules can be trapped in, creating an environment favourable to cell growth (shown …
By LifETIME CDT Student: Bianca Castelli (NUI Galway) Suffering from a neurodegenerative condition is already strenuous. On top of dealing with the hardship of a disease, countless visits to several clinicians can make things even worse. For many people living with these conditions, getting out of the house and into a clinic is not an easy …
By LifETIME CDT Student: Conor Robinson (University of Glasgow) The population of Haematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs) present at birth will be responsible for repopulating the body with all blood and immune cells until death. If someone is dealt a bad hand and their HSCs are damaged or mutate, this can result in many blood disorders like …
By LifETIME CDT Student: Theodora Rogkoti (University of Glasgow) The bone marrow is a specialised environment containing a complex set of cellular, biochemical, and physical signals that all work together to form the so-called “bone marrow niche”. These niche-specific cues regulate the localisation, function, and movement of Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), the cells responsible for developing …
By LifETIME CDT Student: Santino Chander (Aston University) The eye is our window to the world. It is a vital organ that allows us to see our surroundings and loved ones. However, like all biological tissue, it can become compromised – such as through infection or a disorder such as dry eye disease. Often these compromises …
By LifETIME CDT Student: Viswanath Vittaladevaram (NUI Galway) Like a defensive line in a football field, the blood-brain barrier protects central nervous system against pathogens and toxins and regulates the passage of many cells and substances into nervous tissue. A vast majority of disorders associated with central nervous system is linked with blood brain barrier …