Efficient asymptotic-numerical methods for cardiac electrophysiology (PhD)

Supervisors: Radostin Simitev
Relevant research groups: Mathematical Biology

The mechanical activity of the heart is controlled by electrical impulses propagating regularly within the cardiac tissue during one's entire lifespan. A large number of very detailed ionic current models of cardiac electrical excitability are available.These realistic models are rather difficult for numerical simulations. This is due not only to their functional complexity but primarily to the significant stiffness of the equations.The goal of the proposed project is to develop fast and efficient numerical methods for solution of the equations of cardiac electrical excitation with the help and in the light of newly-developed methods for asymptotic analysis of the structure of cardiac equations (Simitev & Biktashev (2006) Biophys J; Biktashev et al. (2008), Bull Math Biol; Simitev & Biktashev (2011) Bull Math Biol)

The student will gain considerable experience with the theory of ordinary and partial differential equations, dynamical systems and bifurcation theory, asymptotic and perturbation methods,numerical methods. The applicant will also gain experience in computerprogramming, scientific computing and some statistical methods for comparison with experimental data.

Fast-slow asymptotic analysis of cardiac excitation models (PhD)

Supervisors: Radostin Simitev
Relevant research groups: Mathematical Biology

Mathematical models of cardiac electrical excitation describe processess ocurring on a wide range of time and length scales. 

Mathematical models of vasculogenesis (PhD)

Supervisors: Peter Stewart
Relevant research groups: Continuum Mechanics - Fluid Dynamics and Magnetohydrodynamics, Continuum Mechanics - Modelling and Analysis of Material Systems, Mathematical Biology

Vasculogenesis is the process of forming new blood vessels from endothelial cells, which occurs during embryonic development. Viable blood vessels facilitate tissue perfusion, allowing the tissue to grow beyond the diffusion-limited size. However, in the absence of vasculogenesis, efforts to engineer functional tissues (eg for implantation) are restricted to this diffusion-limited size. This project will investigate mathematical models for vasculogenesis and explore mechanisms to stimulate blood vessel formation for in vitro tissues. The project will involve collaboration with Department of Biological Engineering at MIT, as part of the SofTMech^MP project.

A coupled cardiovascular-respiration model for mechanical ventilation (PhD)

Supervisors: Peter Stewart, Nicholas A Hill
Relevant research groups: Continuum Mechanics - Fluid Dynamics and Magnetohydrodynamics, Mathematical Biology

Mechanical ventilation is a clinical treatment used to draw air into the lungs to facilitate breathing, used in treatment of premature babies with respiratory distress syndrome and in the treatment of severe Covid pneumonia. The aim is to oxygenate the blood while simultaneously removing unwanted by-products. However, over-inflation of the lungs can reduce the blood supply to the gas exchange surfaces, leading to a ventilation-perfusion mis-match. This PhD project will give you the opportunity to develop a mathematical model to describe the coupling between blood flow in the pulmonary circulation and air flow in the lungs (during both inspiration and expiration). You will devise a coupled computational framework, capable of testing patient-specific ventilation protocols. This is an ideal project for a postgraduate student with an interest in applying mathematical modelling and image analysis to predictive healthcare. The project will give you the opportunity to join a cross-disciplinary Research Hub that aims to push the boundaries of quantitative medicine and improve clinical decision making using innovative mathematical and statistical modelling.