Biomolecular and Microbial Analysis (including Biotechnology)

Within this multidisciplinary subgroup, a wide range of biomolecular techniques are being developed and applied to address far reaching biomedical questions. Our research includes the study of some of the smallest genomes, with investigations into detection, genotyping and virulence of human pathogens such as Campylobacter jejuni and Enterobacter sakazakii and the role of retrotransposition in the study of mammalian gene and genome evolution.

Mammalian cell culture systems are used to understand host-pathogen interactions and to study the molecular basis of toxicity and cytoskeleton-membrane interactions. Artificial neural networks (ANN) and other computational modelling approaches are applied to facilitate accurate classification of microbes of biomedical importance and in the analysis of Mass Spectometry (MS) data to identify biomarkers associated with tumour development and therapy and candidate molecules for tumour vaccines. MS methodology is being developed in combination with chromatographic and electrophoretic procedures to identify proteins, and drugs.

This subgroup also encompasses the production and use of monoclonal antibodies for food authenticity studies, notably meat species and meat content, as well as the modification of protein matrices (textiles, biomaterials) through enzyme mediated grafting of active agents.

Finally, the group has a number of cross-School collaborative projects on new biomedical devices and detection systems. Intelligent biosensor devices are being constructed to selectively monitor oxidative stress both in body fluids and in single cells. Novel fluorescence techniques are being developed, with current applications in the study of receptor interactions and the development of new immunoassays. The solvent-free chemistry to produce nanometre scale materials as contrast agents and delivery devices are being pioneered.