🎓 Discover PhD and Master's programmes at leading universities worldwide — Sign up free to save searches and get email alerts
MUM

Tumour-microplastic interaction and their role in tumour growth kinetics

Monash University Malaysia Engineering and Information Technology
✓ Funded (Competition) 🎓 Biomedical Engineering 🎓 Cancer Biology 🎓 Mechanical Engineering biomedical engineering computational mechanics microplastics 3d printing microfluidics tumour microenvironment tumour growth kinetics mechanical properties

Explore how microplastics influence tumour growth by combining laboratory experiments and computational simulations. Investigate their role in altering tumour mechanics to impact cancer progression.

AI-generated overview

🌍
Why This Research Matters

This research uncovers the effects of environmental microplastics in cancer biology, potentially influencing cancer initiation and progression through mechanical changes in the tumour microenvironment. Understanding these mechanisms could lead to more effective cancer treatment strategies.

Computational modelling biomedical engineering medical devices

Project Description

Project Overview

This project studies the recently discovered presence of microplastics within the tumour microenvironment (TME), focusing on their accumulation and redistribution during tumour growth. The research addresses how these microplastics alter the mechanical properties of the TME and influence tumour growth kinetics through a combination of laboratory experiments and computational modeling.

What You Will Do

The project involves multidisciplinary tasks including microfluidics, 3D printing, and computational mechanics. Candidates will conduct both in vitro laboratory experiments and in silico simulations to analyze microplastic behaviours and interactions within the TME.

Expected Outcomes

The research aims to reveal how microplastics affect cancer initiation and progression by modifying the tumour microenvironment mechanics and redistribution patterns. The findings could guide the design of improved cancer therapeutic strategies.

Why This Matters

Understanding microplastic influences on tumour growth contributes to cancer biology and biomedical engineering, addressing an emerging environmental and health concern. This knowledge could have broad implications for treatment approaches and patient outcomes.

Entry Requirements

Candidates must have a background in mechanical engineering or related disciplines. Prior experience in microfluidics, 3D printing, or computational mechanics is preferred. Applicants should hold a minimum qualification of First Class Honours (H1) or equivalent recognised by Monash University Malaysia and meet English language requirements.

How to Apply

Contact Assoc. Professor Ooi Ean Hin with your academic background and achievements to determine suitability. If suitable, complete an Expression of Interest including a research proposal relevant to this project. Eligible candidates will be invited to apply for PhD candidature and may be interviewed. Interviews likely in March 2026.

Eligibility

UK/Home
EU
International

Supervisor Profile

DE
Dr Ean Hin Ooi
Monash University Malaysia, Engineering and Information Technology
2902 Citations
30 h-index
Google Scholar

Dr Ean Hin Ooi is a computational modelling expert at Monash University Malaysia specializing in biomedical engineering and medical devices. His research includes bioheat transfer, fluid dynamics, and computational simulation applied to biological systems. Dr Ooi has made significant contributions to modelling the mechanical and thermal properties in biomedical contexts.

Key Publications

2008 191 citations
Simulation of aqueous humor hydrodynamics in human eye heat transfer
2006 190 citations
FEM simulation of the eye structure with bioheat analysis
2015 146 citations
Cell death, perfusion and electrical parameters are critical in models of hepatic radiofrequency ablation
2009 110 citations
Boundary element method with bioheat equation for skin burn injury
2019 107 citations
Rapid sperm capture: high-throughput flagellar waveform analysis

Research Contributions

Developed computational models using FEM and boundary element methods to simulate heat transfer and fluid dynamics in the human eye.
These models enhance understanding and prediction of ocular thermal behavior, which can aid in medical diagnosis and treatment planning.
Investigated the influence of cell death, perfusion, and electrical parameters in hepatic radiofrequency ablation models.
Improved model accuracy has potential to optimize cancer ablation therapies thereby improving patient outcomes.
Applied boundary element bioheat equations to analyze skin burn injury and ocular surface temperature distribution.
These analytical methods provide non-invasive ways to assess tissue damage and guide clinical interventions.
Developed high-throughput methods for flagellar waveform analysis enabling rapid sperm capture studies.
This facilitates reproductive biology research and potentially enhances fertility assessment technologies.

Related Opportunities

Synergistic Acoustic-Electrostatic-Inertial Separation of Microplastics from Blood
Monash University Malaysia Dr Ajay Achath Mohanan 🎓 Acoustics Engineering 🎓 Biomedical Engineering

Explore novel methods to separate microplastics from blood using acoustics and electrostatic forces. Develop clinically relevant devices leveraging multidisciplinary engineering techniques.

This research addresses a pressing public health concern by advancing methods to remove potentially harmful microplastics from blood, reduc…

154+ citations · h7
Microplastic Separation Surface Acoustic Waves Electrostatic Properties Hydrodynamic Forces
Synergistic acoustic-electrostatic-inertial separation of microplastics from blood: concept and development
Monash University Malaysia Dr Ajay Achath Mohanan 🎓 Biomedical Engineering 🎓 Engineering

Investigate novel separation techniques combining acoustic, electrostatic, and inertial forces to remove microplastics from blood. Develop innovative biomedical devices with potential clinical applications to reduce hea…

This research aims to develop clinically applicable devices to separate microplastics from blood, potentially mitigating associated health …

154+ citations · h7
Microplastics Acoustic Separation Electrostatic Separation Microfluidics
Biosurfactant-Integrated Microbubble Aeration for Oxygen Delivery and Enhanced Biostimulation of Ocimum basilicum L.
Monash University Malaysia Assoc Prof Ee Von Lau, Dr Joash Ban Lee Tan 🎓 Agricultural Technology 🎓 Chemical Engineering Deadline: 31 Dec 2026

Competition funded PhD at Monash University Malaysia focused on improving hydroponic basil growth through microbubble aeration and biosurfactant-enhanced oxygen delivery.

Dynamic Behaviour and Engineering Optimisation of PEM Water Electrolysers under Real-World Conditions with AI Support
Monash University Malaysia Prof Meng Nan Chong, Dr Joshua Zheyan Soo, Dr Chin Vern Yeoh 🎓 Artificial Intelligence 🎓 Chemical Engineering Deadline: 31 Dec 2026

Funded PhD at Monash University Malaysia focused on PEM water electrolysers, combining engineering and AI to improve hydrogen production under real-world operating conditions.