The Biomedical Materials Research Group has an international reputation in the field of advanced biomaterials for the replacement and regeneration of damaged or diseased tissues and the development of novel medical devices
Research Structure
The group is led by Professor Andrew Lloyd, Professor Sergey Mikhalovsky Dr Matteo Santin and Dr Gary Phillips. In response to the world-wide shift towards intelligent biomaterials and tissue engineering the group has developed two themes focussing on (i) Biomaterials and (ii) Tissue Engineering and Biosensing (TEBS).
Dr Gary Phillips (Biomaterials) and Dr Matteo Santin (TEBS) oversee the day-to-day management of projects within and across thematic areas.
The group members include analytical, organic, materials and biological chemists, molecular and cell biologists, clinical pharmacists and pharmacologists.
This complementary expertise allows the group to undertake a broad range of multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary projects in the field of biomaterials and tissue engineering.
Research focus, impact and significance
The research focus revolves mainly around the synthesis, characterisation and biological evaluation of:
- Biomimetic/bioresponsive/bioactive biomaterials
- Advanced carbon-based adsorbent materials (link)
- Bioactive molecules
- Nanostructured biomaterials and surfaces (link)
- Vaccine and drug delivery (news item link)
- Ocular biomaterials looking at synthetic laminate substitutes for osteo-odonto-keratoprostheses (artificial corneas)
The large number of publications in high impact peer-reviewed journals demonstrates the impact, rigour and significance of the research.
The combination of a rigorous scientific approach and industrial feasibility has allowed the group to develop biomaterials capable of controlling the interactions of pharmacological, biological and microbiological components at the tissue/implant or biochip interface. In particular, these biomaterials are able to:
- minimize denaturation of proteins upon adsorption
- control the inflammatory response, tissue cells proliferation and differentiation, and mineralization processes
- promote tissue regeneration
- avoid bacterial cell colonization.
- detect microbial contamination
- address drug toxicity
Many of these developments stem from detailed molecular and cell biology studies on molecular adsorption, host response towards biomaterials and tissue regeneration processes. These investigations are performed using clinically-reflective in vitro models which have been optimized by the group throughout the years.
Collaborations
Clear indicators of the group outstanding contribution to the practice in biomaterial field are the industrial applications of its research outputs. For example, some of the biomaterials developed by the group have been used in the manufacturing of biomedical implants at industrial scale.
- Poyvinylalcohol (PVA) beads have been exploited by Biocompatibles Ltd, UK for targeted drug delivery to solid tumours. (Link to confocal image duo)
- Nanostructured ceramics, deposited as coatings on dental fixture by a modified anodic spark deposition method have been developed in collaboration with Milan Polytechnic and marketed in 2006 by SAMO SpA, Italy (www.samobiomedica.com). Over 10,000 implants were produced in 2006).
- Allergy vaccine development through an award winning partnership with Allergy Therapeutics
- Industrial collaborations between Mast Carbon Ltd, Brightwake Ltd and the Biomaterials and Biomedical Materials group are working towards the development of a novel device to reduce the inflammatory response during cardiac by-pass surgery.
Research income
In the last 6 years the group has received funding of over £4million from public research funding organisations (e.g. research council and EC) and industry.
Awards and Honours
- Professor Andrew Lloyd – UKSB Biocompatibles Endowed Lecture 2005
- Dr Matteo Santin - European Society for Biomaterials Jean 2005Leray
- Dr Gary Phillips – Sussex Business Awards with Allergy Therapeutics Ltd
- Professor Sergey Mikhalovsky, Professor Andrew Lloyd, Dr Gary Phillips, Dr Carol Howell & Dr Susan Sandeman, Professor Graham Davies – 2005 University of Brighton Innovation Award in for our work developing a novel carbon device for the treatment of sepsis.
- 2006 GlaxoSmithKline Advanced Practitioner Award Professor Graham Davies, Dr Gary Phillips, Professor Declan Naughton, Dr Catharine Mackenzie
Post Doctoral Fellow
Dr. Iain Allen
Post-graduate students
Clare Heaysman
Cressida Bowyer
Stephanie Mudd
Richard Forster
Zhaowei Wang
Tiziano Poletti
