Healthcare Nanomaterials have significant application in delivering therapeutic for a variety of diseases from cancer to vaccines. The mode of entry into the cell to give the biggest payload in an effective manner is not yet realised. Currently through liposome or surface protein interaction and endocytosis are non-specific and slow kinetic driven pathways. This project…
The gut microbiome forms one of the most intricate programmable microenvironments in the human body, where nutrient-dependent metabolic fluxes and microbial interactions generate signals that modulate epithelial barrier function, innate immunity, and T-cell differentiation. These immune-relevant metabolites e.g. short-chain fatty acids constitute a biochemical language linking microbial ecology to host physiology. This PhD will investigate…
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanoscale particles that transport biomolecules between cells, with remarkable ability to cross biological barriers. EVs have significant therapeutic potential due to inherent therapeutic properties and/or drug delivery potential. EVs outperform lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) in cellular delivery of RNA. To fulfil their potential as future advanced and powerful therapeutics, EVs require engineering…
Intracellular pathogens infect and multiply in human cells. Conventional antibiotics are of little help and particularly against dormant bacteria that are phenotypically tolerant to antibiotic treatments. Compounded by the looming “silent pandemic” of antimicrobial resistance, this challenge prompts the development of innovative approaches for delivering antimicrobial interventions inside human cells without cytotoxicity. This project will…
My research covers two technical domains. Firstly, our lab uses an in vivo high throughput assay in either a directed evolution or deep mutational scanning format to develop intrinsically stable and tractable proteins. Secondly, we have developed both specific assays and general frameworks to identify protein therapeutics with the critical quality attributes necessary to be…
Our research uses biophysical &analytical approaches to characterize supramolecular structure and biological assemblies, based on mass spectrometry (MS) and allied techniques. We develop structural MS methods for challenging questions such as structural heterogeneity, conformational dynamics and (self-)assembly, to gain unique insights into e.g. membrane protein/lipid &drug interactions, amyloid assembly and oligonucleotide higher-order structure.
As chemists, we build an manipulate molecules and their assembly, as well as understanding complex system. Applications include synthesis and manipulation of nanomaterials (e.g. for theranosics), understanding interactions mediating complex systems (allowing control), and uncovering mechanisms behind complex molecules (e.g. melanins)
I designed and applied engineer biology to resolve the problem in neuroscience.
In our lab we are particularly interested in engineering the chassis (the microbial cell), its genome, and its protein synthesis machinery, alongside the genetic construct itself, to fine tune the performance of such microbial cell factories for a range of applications. We use both high-throughput screening and directed evolution, as well as biochemical and cell…
Nano-encapsulation of essential oils facilitates their entry into bacterial cells, producing a new paradigm for antibacterial agents. The developed nano-encapsulation technologies will be adapted to facilitate the insinuation of drugs into human cells. This would be an extension of an already existing collaboration in the School of Food Science and Nutrition at Leeds between Povey,…