Tissue Engineering

Tissue engineering is an exciting field which promises to revolutionise the science of regenerative medicine, for example, using a patient’s own cells to generate replacement bone tissue. In the UK a number of tissue engineering groups collaborate with Mathematical Scientists to help improve their understanding of tissue growth, and how best to optimise growth conditions, for example to grow stronger bones. An extremely complex issue is how to “grow” organs with complex structures– should we design systems that naturally develop into appropriate structures (emergent pattern formation), or try to direct growth with specific scaffold geometries? Many of the mathematical modelling tools are similar to those used in modelling cancer.

Employment Opportunities

There is an ever-increasing demand for mathematicians trained in the application of mathematics to biological and medical systems. Employment opportunities include the healthcare sector, government departments, environmental agencies, and the pharmaceutical, medical-device and food industries, in addition to an ever expanding variety of opportunities in academia. Leading UK universities and the UK government (via the research councils) are investing heavily in multidisciplinary research at the interface between mathematics and the biomedical sciences.

The Society for Mathematical Biology (www.smb.org) lists many jobs in internationally leading universities around the world (mathematical medicine and biology offers an excellent opportunity to travel). The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry report "Sustaining the skills pipeline" notes that "There is a growing demand for mathematical scientists . with a variety of modelling techniques . shortages are a worldwide problem." Recently developed courses in Mathematical Medicine and Biology aim to correct this shortage in the UK.