Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Science (IBBS)

Biomaterials and Bionanotechnology

Head of Division: Dr John Tsibouklis

The Biomaterials and Bionanotechnology group is concerned with the design, synthesis and biomedical applications of biomaterials, biosensors, drugs and drug delivery systems, and the science that underpins these technologies. The activities of the group range from the development of methodologies for the analysis of biological fluids to the design and fabrication of biosensors and other biocompatible devices.

The Molecular Design group uses a wide variety of computational techniques (from high level ab initio calculations to classical molecular dynamics simulations) to investigate current problems in biology, medicinal chemistry and materials research. Special emphasis has been paid to mechanisms of biological signal transduction using the tetracycline repressor as an experimentally well documented example. The group also develops novel methods for predicting biological activity and molecular properties and reactivity based on semiempirical molecular orbital theory and a surface-based description of molecules, rather than the more usual “atoms and bonds” approach. Hybrid quantum mechanical/molecular mechanics approaches are used to simulate the modes of action of metalloenzymes and pure quantum mechanics techniques for transition metal catalysis and electron transfer.

The Bionanotechnology group focuses its activities on the use of molecular motors and intelligent molecular machines for applications in a wide range of areas, from biosensing to healthcare. This group has attracted European collaborators, through two recent EC Projects, who have paved the way toward commercial exploitation of the molecular devices; this technology now offers a mature system of nanoactuators/tranducers for use in biosensing. The group is currently exploring the use of molecular motors in Lab-on-a-Chip devices, in intelligent materials and as "molecular dynamos" that link the biological and silicon worlds through electronic output from biological input.

Research in the Biomaterials and drug delivery group is concerned with the development of new biomaterials for therapeutic applications. This includes the development of: biomaterials with inherent resistance to bacterial colonisation; bioadhesive materials for therapeutic use in the eye, mouth, stomach, nose and vagina; polymeric vehicles for targeted drug delivery to the colon; and, boron-containing materials for neutron-capture therapy.

The Analytical Biomedicine group develops methodologies for hyphenated techniques (e.g. gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry) of analysing compounds in biological fluids, with current activities focussing on solid-phase microextraction. Applications include investigation of abnormal body odour and the analysis of faecal volatile acids in cystic fibrosis patients and the diagnosis of inborn errors of metabolism.

Staff

Biomaterials and Bionanotechnology

Head of Division: Dr John Tsibouklis

The Biomaterials and Bionanotechnology group is concerned with the design, synthesis and biomedical applications of biomaterials, biosensors, drugs and drug delivery systems, and the science that underpins these technologies. The activities of the group range from the development of methodologies for the analysis of biological fluids to the design and fabrication of biosensors and other biocompatible devices.

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