Bionanotechnology
Bionanotechnology is an interdisciplinary field at the intersection of nanotechnology, biology, and medicine, harnessing nanoscale materials and engineering approaches to develop innovative solutions for healthcare and life sciences. By manipulating matter at the molecular and cellular levels, bionanotechnology enables the design of highly precise tools for detecting, diagnosing, and treating diseases, as well as for modelling human biology in ways that were previously impossible.
Our research focuses on four key areas:
- Biosensing and Diagnostics – Advanced nanomaterials and bioengineering are transforming biosensing. Techniques like SERS allow for biomarker-independent diagnosis, while innovations in point-of-care testing are improving sensitivity and accessibility. Integrating these technologies with digital health platforms is further enhancing global healthcare, especially in resource-limited settings.
- Advanced Therapeutics – Innovative nano- and microscale drug delivery systems are improving how we treat diseases by improving targeting, controlling release, and reducing side effects. Triggered delivery technologies and bioelectronic medicines further pave the way for personalised medicine.
- Complex In Vitro Models and Tissue Engineering – We are developing advanced in vitro models, such as organoids and microtissues. By integrating bioengineered scaffolds and smart biomaterials with nanostructured features, we create more accurate tissue models and also enhance in vivo regeneration and cell therapy delivery.
- A key element across all these areas is nanoscale characterisation, which ensures precision and reliability in developing new technologies. Techniques like SPARTAâ enable unprecedented nanoparticle analysis, while AI-driven Raman imaging provides deep insights into biological processes.
Together, these innovations are poised to revolutionise healthcare, offering more precise diagnostics, effective treatments, and human-relevant models that accelerate the development of next-generation therapies.
Research Areas
Electroactive materials respond to external stimuli—such as electric fields, light, heat, or mechanical forces—by altering their physical, chemical, or electrical properties. These dynamic changes can be leveraged to modulate cellular processes.
Raman spectroscopy, particularly Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS), is a powerful technology capable of capturing the unique molecular fingerprint of samples. The AI-aided analysis of subtle shifts in these molecular signatures provides a sensitive and versatile agnostic (i.e., non-dependent on any target molecule) biosensing platform.
The most familiar point-of-care diagnostic tool, especially post-COVID, is the lateral flow test - simple, rapid, and relatively inexpensive. We are dedicated to enhancing these tests, making them not only more affordable but also significantly more sensitive, specific and robust.
We have developed a library of biodegradable polymers that can be fabricated into microcarriers for controlled drug delivery. By adjusting the polymer structure and degree of crosslinking, we can fine-tune degradation rates, enabling drug release over periods from days to over a year.
Our goal is to develop advanced in vitro models that minimise the need for animal testing, tackling key ethical, financial, and scientific challenges in preclinical research. By combining cutting-edge 2D and 3D stem cell techniques with bioengineering innovations, we create human-relevant tissue models that not only replicate individual organs but also simulate organ-to-organ interactions.
Our work in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine focuses on improving therapeutic outcomes through two main strategies: engineered scaffolds that support in vivo tissue repair and those that enhance the delivery and effectiveness of cell therapies.
