In this position the ESR will be employed by iThera Medical, a German-based SME that has developed a novel in-vivo imaging technology called multispectral optoacoustic tomography (MSOT). A key advantage of MSOT is that it enables multiple imaging probes/tracers to be detected simultaneously. In this project, the ESR will work with proprietary, and novel near-infrared tracers for monitoring different aspects of renal function that have been developed by our collaborators in Cyanagen and the University of Heidelberg. A key part of the project will be to develop methods for analysing the imaging data generated by MSOT. The overall goal of your project will be to apply MSOT to accurately assess different aspects of renal function following kidney injury, and to quantify the extent to which renal function improves following the administration of mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC)-based therapies. The ESR will be co-supervised by academics within the University of Liverpool, where he will validate the MSOT data using established techniques such as radioisotope renography (MAG3 scan) using single positron emission computed tomography (SPECT).

The ESR will develop skills in the following areas:

• MSOT and nuclear imaging (in collaboration with the University of Liverpool)
• Use of mouse models of disease to determine risks (safety) and benefits (efficacy) of MSCs as therapies for kidney injury (in collaboration with the University of Liverpool)
• Image analysis methods for accurately assessing different aspects of renal function simultaneously.