Dr Fotis Spyropoulos

Supervisor Details

Contact Details

School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham

Scientific Background

Research Interests

My current research interests primarily focus on the Formulation Engineering of Colloids and Soft Solids. The interplay between formulation and processing (i.e. Formulation Engineering) is at the core of my research activities, which explore the design and manufacture of simple and complex emulsions, foam and soft solid microstructures and their resulting functionality/performance. Functionalities of interest presently range from specific material properties (e.g. rheological behaviour) to the use of such microstructures for encapsulation and release purposes of single and multiple species.

Supervision Style

In three words or phrases: student-centred, collaborative, detail-oriented.

Provision of Training

Your training will be supervised predominantly by my experienced post docs/PhD students.

Progression Monitoring and Management

At the beginning of your studies we will together set out expectations for your progression on a monthly basis. If these progression criteria are not met we will always discuss a plan of action together.

Communication

I am known to email my team/PhD students at all hours of the day and night, however I will not expect you to do the same. I am happy to discuss any issues that are impacting your ability to fulfil your potential or my/our expectations.

Meetings

PhD Students can expect scheduled meetings with me at least once per month. These meetings will be a mixture of face-to-face and via video chat or telephone. I am usually contactable for an instant response on every working day.

Work Patterns

Certain tasks in my lab need to occur at set times, and students need to be able to commit to a rota/timetable shared with other members of the team.

Notice Period for Feedback

I need at least 1 week's notice to provide feedback on written work of up to 5,000 words.

MIBTP Project Details

Primary supervisor for:

Biological understanding of injectable fluid gel formulations

See the PhD Opportunities section to see if this project is currently open for applications via MIBTP.

Please Note: The main page lists projects via BBSRC Research Theme(s) quoted and then relevant Topic(s).

Biological understanding of injectable fluid gel formulations

Secondary Supervisor(s): Dr Rowan Hardy

University of Registration: University of Birmingham

BBSRC Research Themes:

Integrated Understanding of Health (Pharmaceuticals)

Project Outline

Due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and tuneable mechanical properties, hydrogels are widely employed in Regenerative Medicine. Hydrogels are excellent extracellular matrix mimetics and are commonly used for the controlled delivery of bioactives/cells. However, hydrogels are structured (gelled) prior to use and thus require surgery for implantation, which can result in tissue damage and increased therapeutic costs.

These issues have led to interest in minimally invasive implantation strategies, such as the injectable hydrogel approach. Yet, although injectable hydrogels provide treatment without surgery, they suffer from inconsistent/unpredictable therapeutic action as they rely on gelation in situ (in the body), which is challenging due to the presence of interfering endogenous species (ions, proteins).

Fluid gels (FGs) have emerged as promising candidates for use as injectable hydrogels. FGs possess a highly viscoelastic microstructure and the capacity to self-structure at rest, both of which have generated interest in the use of FGs as a dynamic hydrogel scaffold; one that is prepared (gelled) exogenously and then injected (flows under shear) into the body, forming robust structures once in place (at rest). The benefit of using FGs arises from the fact that these constructs are already gelled and thus intrusion from ‘local’ species in the body should be minimal.

Bringing together expertise from the biomedical and physical sciences, the current project aims to evaluate the use of FGs as injectable hydrogels and understand their behaviour in the body. Using a combination of rheological and cell culture approaches, we will investigate FG injectability, lubrication, drug retention/release and physiological pathways and biocompatibility. This interdisciplinary project will be supervised by Dr Fotis Spyropoulos, an expert in the production, characterisation and performance of FGs and Dr Rowan Hardy, a leader in steroid metabolism and signalling.

APPLY HERE