National Biofilms Innovation Centre
 

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Jonathan Aylott

Professor of Analytical Science, Faculty of Science

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Biography

I gained my degree and PhD from the University of East Anglia. I then undertook a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Raoul Kopelman's laboratory at the University of Michigan. In 2000, I returned to the UK to take up a Lectureship in Analytical Science at the Department of Chemistry, University of Hull. In 2004 I was appointed Lecturer in Analytical Bioscience in the School of Pharmacy at Nottingham.

Research Summary

My research interests focus on the design, manufacture and implementation of micro- and nanoscale devices. Such devices can then be used, for example, to measure biological samples in-situ and in… read more

Selected Publications

Current Research

My research interests focus on the design, manufacture and implementation of micro- and nanoscale devices. Such devices can then be used, for example, to measure biological samples in-situ and in real-time, generating a better understanding of disease states, or as therapeutic systems for application in personalised healthcare.

Optical nanosensors are a key focus of this research and utilise the sensitivity of fluorescence to make quantitative measurements of biological systems. The nanosensor devices are typically 50 nm in diameter and small enough to be inserted into living cells with a minimum of physical perturbation, enabling real-time changes in small molecule concentrations in single cells to be made. Nanosensors capable of measuring pH, oxygen, glucose, calcium, zinc, temperature and enzyme activity have been demonstrated and they have been applied to a range of biological systems including nematodes, stem cells, cancer spheroids, yeast cells and bacterial biofilms. An additional attractive feature of fluorescent nanosensors is that they can be imaged and quantified using standard imaging technologies, e.g., wide-field, confocal. and super-resolution microscopies.

Further areas of research include the manufacture of micro- and nanoparticles using microfluidic technologies. These particles can be tailored so that size, surface functionalisation and payload can all be defined and optimised. The control of particle size, composition and morphology is being applied to the manufacture of drug delivery systems, in particular for personalised healthcare where new technology solutions can aid polypharmacy and patient medication adherence and compliance.

Memberships of Committees and Professional Bodies

• Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry • Member, EPSRC Peer Review College

National Biofilms Innovation Centre

The University of Nottingham
CBS building
Nottingham, NG7 2RD


telephone: +44 (0)115 9515036
email: nbic@nottingham.ac.uk