Synthetic mRNA for re-programming and gene editing of human dental pulp stem cells

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Project start date: October 1st 2025

Research Project Description:

Synthetic mRNA offers a powerful and flexible reprogramming platform that can alter the behaviour, identity, longevity and differentiation potential of cells. The spectacular success of COVID vaccines based on synthetic mRNA has stimulated a surge of interest in this remarkable new technology for both novel clinical treatments and the fundamental study of human cell biology. The accessibility of the oral cavity offers unique opportunities to leverage synthetic mRNA for both clinical applications and the study of stem cell biology. In this project, the student would design and synthesise various synthetic mRNAs with the aim of reprogramming the behaviour of dental pulp cells to better understand their potency and to direct their differentiation. Synthetic mRNA would also be used to deliver gene editing enzymes such as Cas9 into dental pulp cells again to study proliferation, senescence and differentiation of this important model stem cell system. The student would gain expertise in many important molecular and cell biology procedures (e.g. molecular design and cloning, sequencing, gene editing, cell culture and microscopy) and benefit from close day-to-day laboratory guidance from highly experienced molecular cell biologists in a friendly but highly motivated academic environment.

Clinical sessions form a second component of the Clinical PhD programme, although the primary objective of the programme is the completion of a research degree. Therefore, clinical sessions are limited, but you will usually have no more than two sessions per week. The clinical sessions can be tailored to the learning needs of the individual student and are subject to change, but broadly speaking they are likely to include attendance at specialist clinics and the supervised care of patients appropriate to the clinical experience of the individual student. Students work with, and are supervised by, appropriately qualified clinical mentors/trainers and teachers. Students will also be expected to actively take part in the Glasgow Endodontology Group Sessions which is a forum for case-based discussions and literature review.

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Learn more about us: University of Glasgow – Schools – School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing – Dental School – Postgraduate Research