Understanding cellular-spatial interplay between osteocyte networks and their environment using bioengineered 3D bone models

Overview

Project Reference: #1MPQC-NATP1

Preferred Project Start: Immediate

How do bone-forming cells communicate to build and maintain a functional bone matrix?

Osteoblasts produce new bone extracellular matrix, while osteocytes become embedded within this matrix and form an interconnected network that helps regulate bone formation, adaptation and remodelling. Although these cells work closely together in the body, their interactions are difficult to reproduce and investigate using conventional two-dimensional cell culture.

Bone-cell behaviour is strongly influenced by the surrounding microenvironment, including its composition, mechanical properties, mineral content, spatial organisation and oxygen levels. Understanding how these factors regulate communication between osteoblasts and osteocytes is essential for revealing how healthy bone tissue forms and matures.

This project will develop advanced 3D bioengineered coculture models that bring fluorescently labelled osteoblasts and osteocytes together within controlled hydrogel microenvironments. Synthetic or semi-synthetic hydrogel materials, potentially including GelMA- or PEG-based systems, will be used to encapsulate cells and biofabricate 3D models through crosslinking or drop-on-demand bioprinting.

These models will be used to investigate how the engineered microenvironment influences cellular communication, osteocyte network formation, extracellular matrix production and mineralisation. The precise materials, model designs and biological questions will be refined with the successful student, providing substantial scope for them to contribute ideas and shape the direction of the PhD.

Research activities

Research Activities

This project scholarship is funded by the QUT School of Biomedical Sciences and is connected to the Max Planck Queensland Centre for the Materials Science of Extracellular Matrices (MPQC) and the Centre for Biomedical Technologies (CBT), within a broader research program supported by the Australian Research Council, titled ‘Engineered Osteocyte Microenvironments’.

The student will be based on Level 3 of the Translational Research Institute (TRI) in Woolloongabba, Qld, Australia, and will be part of the Bone & Tumour Bioengineering Research Group led by Associate Professor Nathalie Bock, the Research Lead of QUT at TRI. The project sits within a broader research program supported by the Australian Research Council, titled ‘Engineered Osteocyte Microenvironments’, led by A/Prof Bock. The student will have a dedicated workstation and personal laptop.

The student will contribute to activities that may include:

• Developing synthetic or semi-synthetic hydrogel systems for 3D bone-cell culture
• Creating osteoblast–osteocyte coculture models through hydrogel crosslinking or drop-on-demand bioprinting
• Investigating how material properties, mineralisation and oxygen levels influence cell behaviour
• Examining cellular communication, osteocyte network formation and extracellular matrix production
• Linking the physical and chemical properties of the materials with biological function.

Skills, techniques and other learning opportunities offered

• Synthetic and semisynthetic hydrogel formulation
• Hydrogel crosslinking and characterisation
• Synthetic and semi-synthetic hydrogel-based biomaterials
• Drop-on-demand bioprinting (e.g., using Rastrum^TM bioprinter from Inventia Life Science)
• Biofabrication (e.g., using LunaX^TM AI-powered 3D Tissue Culture System from Gelomics)
• Osteoblast and osteocyte culture
• 3D coculture and cell-encapsulation techniques
• Hypoxic cell culture
• Extracellular matrix and mineralisation assays
• Mechanical, structural and transport characterisation of biomaterials
• Live-cell and confocal microscopy
• Molecular biology and biochemical assays
• Quantitative image and data analysis
• Exposure to multidisciplinary research in materials science, bone biology and bioengineering
• Opportunities to interact with multidisciplinary researchers at QUT, TRI and The University of Queensland

Outcomes

This project aims to establish adaptable 3D coculture models for investigating how osteoblasts and osteocytes interact within a bioengineered bone microenvironment.

The research will reveal how hydrogel composition, mechanical properties, spatial organisation, mineralisation and oxygen availability influence bone-cell communication, maturation and extracellular matrix formation. A strong materials science component will connect the physical, mechanical and chemical properties of the engineered hydrogels with the resulting cellular responses.

The project will generate new fundamental understanding of how bone tissue forms and is regulated. It will also produce advanced experimental platforms that could support future research into bone development, repair, ageing and disease while reducing reliance on conventional two-dimensional cultures and animal models.

High-quality publications will be expected from this project (Bock et al., Prog Mater Sci). Travel to national and international conferences and to the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces in Germany, will be available to the successful candidate.

Skills and experience

We are seeking a full-time, highly motivated PhD candidate to perform cutting-edge research in microphysiological bone models. This project would suit a student with a background or strong interest in Materials Science, Biomedical Science, Cell Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Tissue Engineering, Biomaterials, Bone Biology or a related discipline. During the course of this PhD, the candidate will drive a highly interdisciplinary project, by cross-fertilising with the fields of tissue engineering, materials science and bone biology, ultimately addressing a significant knowledge gap in basic science using advanced technological tools.

Desirable qualifications and experience

• A Master of Science or equivalent qualification with a significant research component in Materials Science, Biomedical Engineering, Cell Biology, Biotechnology or a related field
• Relevant laboratory research experience
• Capacity to undertake the PhD on a full-time basis
• At least one publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal

The ideal candidate will:

• Be highly motivated to undertake interdisciplinary research spanning materials science, biofabrication and cell biology
• Be interested in learning and applying a broad range of laboratory-based techniques
• Demonstrate curiosity and creativity when designing experiments and exploring new research directions
• Be self-motivated and able to plan and prioritise experimental work
• Demonstrate initiative and strong problem-solving skills
• Be able to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Have effective written and verbal communication skills.

Research involving biomaterials and biological systems does not always proceed as expected. Curiosity, patience and resilience when experiments require optimisation or troubleshooting are therefore particularly important.

Previous laboratory experience in biomaterials, hydrogel fabrication, cell culture, microscopy or molecular biology would be beneficial but is not essential for a motivated student with a strong willingness to learn.

Above all, the successful student will bring genuine enthusiasm for contributing to the Bone & Tumour Bioengineering Research Group at QUT and investigating fundamental questions at the interface of materials science and bone biology.

Eligibility details

This is a full-time PhD scholarship project. Australian and international applicants are eligible to apply. Applicants must meet QUT’s entry requirements for admission to the Doctor of Philosophy, including the applicable English-language requirements. Read more here about entry requirements.

How to apply

Step 1

Submit your application to n.bock@qut.edu.au with the following subject: ‘PhD–#1MPQC-NATP1–Your Surname’.

Your application must include:

• A cover letter by the applicant (maximum 1 page)
• An up-to-date CV indicating previous lab experience and skills and the details of two referees (including their email addresses)
• Academic transcript

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview.

Step 2

The preferred candidate will be supported to submit a formal expression of interest through the QUT research degree application process. Applicants should review QUT’s research degree entry requirements and application guidance here before applying.

What you receive

• A full-time, tax-exempt stipend of $37,010 per annum, indexed annually
• Scholarship support for a maximum of 3.5 years for a PhD, including any approved extension
• A possible $5,000 top-up scholarship for an outstanding candidate, subject to eligibility and funding conditions
• Tuition fee sponsorship for eligible international students
• Single Overseas Student Health Cover for eligible international students
• The opportunity to join QUT, the University for the Real World, and undertake research within the advanced multidisciplinary environment of the Translational Research Institute (TRI)
• A dedicated research environment within the Bone & Tumour Bioengineering Research Group at TRI
• Access to advanced biofabrication, cell culture, microscopy and materials-characterisation facilities
• Opportunities to participate in multidisciplinary research networks through QUT TRI, CBT and MPQC
• Be a member of a prestigious international research centre from the Max Planck Society (MPQC), connected to the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces (MPICI) in Germany
• Possibility of research exchanges at MPICI in Potsdam, Germany
• Be a member of the Network Architecture and Transport Properties of ECMs Research Theme of MPQC
• Training and international mentorship across biomaterials science, tissue engineering, bone biology and biofabrication

Keywords

• Bioengineering
• Biofabrication
• Biomaterials
• Hydrogels
• Bioprinting
• Bone Tissue Engineering
• Materials Science
• Osteocyte
• Bone Biology
• Bone Microenvironment
• Bone Extracellular Matrix
• Mineralisation
• GelMA

Contact

Contact Associate Professor Nathalie Bock for more information.