Research in the group is focussed on four main areas:

1. 1.Development and testing of new materials for clinical and biological applications. As part of a European Commission funded 7th Framework programme we are developing innovative anti-microbial coatings.  To be applied to medical devices such as catheters, wound dressings and personal care items, these are based on novel organo-silver, organo-copper and organo-zinc complexes, developed by the group in collaboration with Dr Andrew Johnson’s group (link).
   

2. 2.Study of biomimetic lipid membrane - bacterial toxin interaction. Using solid supported lipid bilayer vesicles with encapsulated dye, in the study of how bacterial toxins, such as cholera and α-haemolysin interact with cell membranes. By combining Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) and SPR enhanced Fluorescence, observations of both toxin binding to lipid bilayer membranes and any resultant permeabilisation are made.
   

3. 3.sensors for clinical microbiology. With Atlas Genetics, a University of Bath spin-out company, we have developed a Point-of-Care test for the fast diagnosis of infection for various microbial pathogens, including Streptococcus pyrogenes, Candida albicans and Neisseria meningitidis. The test utilises an on-chip PCR amplification of target gene sequences and coupled electrochemical detection.
   

4. 4.Advanced wound dressings. A newly emerging area of research, in collaboration with clinicians and paediatricians at the Paediatrics Burns Unit for the South West of England at Frenchay Hospital, Bristol.