Biofabrication of cardiac tissue is rapidly progressing field, continually striving to create functional tissue models that closely replicate the structure and organisation of natural cardiac tissues. Bioprinting, in particular, offers significant promise for improving tissue functionality within regenerative medicine.

Objectives

Formulate innovative, printable, and structurally robust bioinks beginning with established in-house gelatin- and peptide-based formulations, which will be further refined through integration with advanced scaffold materials developed by partners (such as plasma-activated materials). These bioinks will be tailored for 3D bioprinting of in vitro cardiac tissue models. Cell attachment and the formation of cardiac muscle fiber structures will be evaluated using immunocytochemistry for markers relevant to cardiac cytoskeleton, cell junctions, and adhesion. Functional assessment of the engineered cardiac tissues will be performed via live calcium imaging to monitor cardiac cell activity. Additionally, the impact of chemotherapeutic agents on cardiac tissue function will be studied using this model.

Goals

• Identify appropriate scaffold base materials, evaluate various crosslinking methods (such as plasma, enzymatic, thermal, or UV), and assess gelation rates, flow properties, shear thinning, and mechanical strength of different formulations.
• Develop a protocol for construct printing and cell seeding that ensures scaffold alignment suitable for muscle cell distribution, attachment, and muscle fiber formation.
• Explore techniques for perfusing 3D printed tissue constructs, including the design and fabrication of specialized microfluidic chip systems using two-photon micro-manufacturing, and examine the delivery of chemotherapeutic agents through these systems.

Expected Results

This project is part of the EU-funded Print4Life, a Marie Sklodowska-Curie (MSCA) doctoral network led by Prof. Persson, Uppsala University. This network has 8 doctoral candidate host institutions: Uppsala University, Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya, Dublin City University, Universidade do Minho, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon Gmbh, Hydrumedical SA, Brinter AM Technologues oy, ETH Zürich, FHNW Muttenz; and 6 additional partners: PBC Ltd, XapHe, Quintus Technologies AB, CAU ZU Kiel and Region Uppsala (Uppsala University Hospital). The network aims to provide Advanced Research Training for Additive Manufacturing of the Biomaterials and Tissues of the Future. You will be one of 17 doctoral students across the entire network, and one of two doctoral candidates based in this particular research group. The doctoral candidate employed by the Swiss partner does not have the status of an official MSCA grantee.

Your Duties

The main duty for a doctoral student is to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in research projects and PhD courses. The work duties can also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%). Being a PhD student means independently running projects within a specific subject. You collaborate on an ongoing basis with other doctoral students and researchers to create results within various projects and have one or more supervisors for support during your doctoral studies.

To be eligible as a MSCA (Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions) doctoral candidate, you must not have a doctoral degree at the date of recruitment, be enrolled in a doctoral program, and comply with a mobility rule requiring you to not have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the host country (Switzerland) for more than 12 months in the 36 months prior to recruitment (i.e. this includes online activities).

The Biofabrication and Biohybrid Systems Laboratory, led by Dr. Maurizio Gullo, uses advanced bioprinting to create cardiac tissues addressing clinical challenges. The group pioneers large-scale cardiac patches for regenerative medicine, aiming to replicate native heart tissue structure and function for improved repair and transplantation outcomes. Operating within the Institute of Medical Engineering and Medical Informatics, the lab integrates tissue engineering, biomaterials, and medical informatics to speed clinical translation of biofabricated cardiac solutions.

The employment will be at FHNW in Muttenz, while the doctoral studies and graduation will be undertaken at ETH Zürich (ETHZ), with Professor Marcy Zenobi-Wong from ETH Zürich acting as co-supervisor.

PhD students employed through the Marie Sklodowska-Curie program will receive a salary in accordance with the Swiss National Science Foundation regulations for doctoral candidates (https://www.snf.ch/media/en/yXApuFw4ml0TPYe2/Annex_XII_Ausfuehrungsreglement_Beitragsregl ement_E.pdf) for the time of their PhD (36 + 12 months). Employee’s national and local taxes will be deducted from this gross salary before payment of the net salary to the doctoral candidate.

Secondments

Part of the research will be conducted in collaboration with other doctoral students, other academic institutions, and industry. The study period is planned to include short research stays at ETH Zürich Switzerland under the guidance of Prof. Zenobi-Wong, at Uppsala University Sweeden with Prof. Tenje and Uppsala University Hospital in collaboration with Prof. Thor. Main supervisor will be Dr. Maurizio Gullo (FHNW Muttenz), and co-supervisors Prof. Zenobi-Wong (ETHZ).

Your Profile

You possess a Master's degree in Biomedical Engineering or a closely related discipline, and demonstrate a strong enthusiasm for advancing the development of innovative cardiac tissue constructs aimed at regenerative medicine. Desired Skills & Competencies: