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Research
interests:
The research group has interests in aspects of bioinorganic chemistry and materials
chemistry.
Current projects:
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Studies of biosilicification,
the role of proteins, carbohydrates and model compounds in structure control.
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Studies of protein interactions
with novel surfaces.
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Studies of aluminium
antiperspirant activity (fundamental studies of aluminium polycations).
v
Systematic studies of the
effects of topography and chemistry on wetting.
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Modelling and Experimental Studies of Peptide-Mineral Interactions.
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A Novel Approach to nanoscale (bio)materials assembly using bioengineered spider silk fusion proteins.
v
Biomineralization for lithography and microelectronics.
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Research includes fundamental studies
of in vivo and in vitro
silicon-biomolecule interactions (proteins including collagen and carbohydrates). Research in
this area has been extended to encompass studies of the effect of silicon (in
a variety of forms) on the crystallisation of hydroxyapatite and the bioactivity and osteoconductivity
properties of novel biomaterials. The principle of structural control by biopolymers is being
utilised in our studies of toughened structural ceramics and the principle of
recognition is being exploited in our study of protein interactions
on surfaces with
defined chemistry and topography. |
Biosilica
Superhydrophobic to superhydrophilic
switching
Tailoring surfaces for biomaterials
Al containing clusters and proteins
interactions
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Our other main research area involves
the preparation and characterisation of aqueous and non-aqueous sol-gel derived materials. Our particular interests lie in
understanding the molecular and structural chemistry involved in the production
of such materials. We are also trying to reach an understanding of the role
of chemistry and morphology/ topography in the development of super-hydrophobic and
super-hydrophilic surfaces.
We have additional interests in the application of experimental design
approaches to materials synthesis and in the application of correlation
analysis methods in the study of material structures and in the application
of theoretical/ computational methods in the prediction of reactivity. |
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The four areas currently being
explored are; (1) Biosilica chemistry, with the goal being to understand
some of the ‘tricks’ used by organisms to control the structural and physical
chemistry of amorphous materials, (2) Biomaterials chemistry with the current emphasis on
understanding the relationships between surface chemistry and topography on
wetting and protein adsorption, (3) the chemistry of alumina with specific emphasis on developing
new materials using specific Al containing clusters and proteins (a mimic of
nacre) and on understanding how antiperspirant actives work, and (4) the
chemistry of other oxides and oxide –polymer composites. |
