The main research themes covered by the project are:
1. Modelling/simulation/analysis of complex biological systems
2. Physiology, bioengineering and therapeutics
3. Nanostructures
The current research project portfolio supported by NIB is as follows:
Large Projects (25K)
1. Muscle analysis via GPUs: Andy Nisbet, Nick Costen, Ian Loram.
2. Hash pooling: A new technique for environmental sample analysis: Trish Linton, Martyn Amos, Mike Dempsey, Robin Sen.
3. Determining the extent of fungal deterioration of cinefilms using nanosensors: Craig Banks, Joanna Verran, Lindsey Munro.
Ph.D. projects (supported by Manchester Metropolitan University)
1. A multidisciplinary solution to combat pin tract infections: Kath Whitehead, Peter Kelly, Jo Verran, Stephen Lynch, Glen West, and Val Edward-Jones.
2. Key determinants of the age-related decline in musculoskeletal function: A mathematical and experimental approach. Glen Cooper, Neil Reeves, Emma Hodson-Tole, Nicholas Costen.
Early Adopter grants (5K)
1. The use of nanoparticles for the pharmacological manipulation of wound repair by novel anti-inflammatory compounds: Debra Whitehead, Jason Ashworth and Vittorio Caprio.
2. Design, simulation, modelling and analysis of a real time tactile and fibre optic pressure sensor system to measure chest wall vibrations for Physiotherapy: Rebecca Chandy and S. Gough.
3. Stopping skin cancer in its tracks: Gene nanotechnology for the treatment of melanoma: Craig Banks, Qiuyu Wang and Carol Ainley.
4. An integrated computational and experimental approach to designing novel nanodevices: Lindsey Munro, Paul Birkett and Lubomira Tosheva-Jivkova.
5. Antibacterial nanostructures and their application for water purification: Lubomira Tosheva, Herman Potgieter, Joanna Verran and Kathryn Whitehead.
6. Development of an image analysis package for objective plaque quantification: Lisa Coulthwaite, Nick Bowring and Jo Verran.
7. Nanotoxological influence of nanoparticles on small blood vessel function: May Azzawi and Debra Whitehead.
8. Computer visual tracking of muscle contraction: Nick Costen and Ian Loram.
9. Next generation biological wastewater treatment: molecular microbial community analysis: Patricia Linton, Mike Dempsey, Robin Sen, Prasad Ponnapalli and Christine Stark.
10. Advanced mathematical modelling of muscle cross bridge kinetics as an aid to identifying molecular modifications: Hans Degens and Steve Lynch.
Student Summer Bursaries (10 weeks)
1. Preparation of amphibian-derived toxins and their evaluation as novel cardiotonic agents. (Supervisor: Vittorio Caprio)
2. Do the material properties of the Achilles tendon vary according to anatomical location? (Supervisor: Glen Cooper)
3. How active control of vehicle systems can affect injury risk for the passenger during crash impacts. (Supervisor: Ian Hogan)
4. Developing a biosensor for explosives detection. (Supervisor: Lindsey J Munro)
5. Antibacterial zeolite structures for water purification. (Supervisor: Lubomira Tosheva)
6. Determination of the detailed physiochemical characteristics of silica nanoparticles in whole blood. (Supervisor: Debra Whitehead)
We are pleased to acknowledge the support of our external advisors:
Professor Ron Weiss (Princeton University)
Dr Jane Calvert (University of Edinburgh)