Researcher Focus: Dr Anita Bassi
Anita Bassi, 25, from Derby, has recently completed her PhD in Biomedical Materials Science. Funded by BBSRC, Anita has specialised in Tissue Engineering, specifically in phosphorous containing polymers for osteoporotic bone repair.
Here she spoke to us about her work and the skills she has gained over the last three and a half years.
"I've always been interested in science but I didn't really know much about biomaterials before I began my undergraduate degree in Biomedical Materials Science at the University of Nottingham. I had an interest in engineering and I had an interest in biology but I didn't know how I could combine the two. The course was the perfect way.
"I had never thought about doing a PhD until my final year during my undergraduate degree, mainly because I didn’t know enough about it. I did an in-depth research project during my final year and it gave me an insight into academia and research. I knew this was what I wanted to do.
"My final assignment had focused on bone repair, after my degree I knew I wanted to carry on in the area of bone tissue engineering. The PhD in Manchester came up at just the right time, the project would allow me to work in an area that interests me and I would have access to Wold leading facilities.
"During my PhD, I've looked at materials that could regenerate bone tissue. After a joint replacement, the chance of fracture at the site of surgical intervention can increase due to there being a decrease in bone density. I have been working on the development of a biodegradable scaffold that would regenerate the surrounding tissue and could be used in conjunction with a joint replacement, so we could get greater bone formation and hopefully reduce the risk of fracture.
"There is still a lot of research that needs to be carried out before we can prove but I have been really happy with the way the project has gone. I got some very surprising and promising results, and I will be carrying on my post doc in the same area. My work has acted as a plBioatform technology and we are now looking at using the same ideas in other applications; there are a range of products we are now developing.
"The scaffold we have developed is composed of a biodegradable polymer and a phosphonate containing polymer. The active phosphonate containing polymer is believed to enhance bone repair. We are hoping to take the technology further, using animal models and if successful going in to clinical trials in the coming years.
"My PhD has been very exciting; I have had the opportunity to work on a fast moving research project as well as having the opportunity to learn about intellectual property and management; I've learnt loads.
"I have been lucky enough to travel to some amazing places for conferences during my PhD. I have presented in Hong Kong, Australia, Spain, Switzerland and Germany. In Melbourne, Australia I won the prize for best oral presentation and we were lucky enough to spend New Years in Hong Kong.
"The thing I've enjoyed most about my PhD is just 'investigating' and not really knowing what you are going to find. I have been lucky enough to be given the freedom to look at what interests me so I am able to go into the lab and usually when you start looking at one area, many other questions arise. A lot of the results that I've got are results that I never expected to find, it has made my PhD a lot more interesting."