Micromechanical properties as a diagnostic marker for systemic sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune connective tissue disease characterised by the clinical manifestation of scleroderma or ‘hard skin’ [1]. Clinical assessment of SSc is limited due to the semi-quantitative clinical methods that are currently used to assess patients. Diagnosis of SSc is currently based on skin ssessment using the semi-quantitative modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) which is derived from clinical palpation of 17 anatomical areas. This clinical palpitation method of skin thickness is used as a surrogate measure of skin stiffness. However, although the mRSS is considered a gold standard for assessment of SSc, the method is highly subjective and not able to discern discrete alterations in skin stiffness and/or disease progression. More recently, an ultrasound-based technique, elastography has been utilised in some clinical studies. Similarly, although elastography is emerging as a useful in vivo technique, there are still unaddressed issues with regard to the semi-quantitative nature of the measurements. The proposal aims to develop micromechanical approaches to characterise skin stiffness in patients to better assess SSc, link these to clinical outcomes and use this information to develop novel therapeutic approaches for treatment and ultimately lead to better outcomes for patients.

This project is a multi-disciplinary collaboration based at the University of Liverpool along with Aintree University Hospital and Lancaster Medical School. The regional systemic sclerosis clinic is held at Aintree University Hospital. As a tertiary referral clinic, patients are seen from across the Northwest of England.

The project is suited to a student with at least a good B.Sc. Upper Second in Biological, Life Sciences, Bioengineering or a related degree.

 Supervisors:

Dr Riaz Akhtar – rakhtar@liverpool.ac.uk

Dr Rosalain Benson – Rosalind.benson@liverpoolft.nhs.uk

Dr Marina Anderson – m.e.anderson@lancaster.ac.uk