Welcome to TRAILab's research

Calcium Phosphate Crystals

Richard's work recently featured on the front cover of the Journal of Materials Chemistry (B). This work described how it was possible to modify the surface of calcium phosphate crystals, so that we could monitor what happens to them as they cross the cell membrane.

In-vitro Tissue-Engineered Ligament

The collagen accumulation in fibrin-based tissue-engineered ligaments can be augmented using promoters of collagen synthesis. Our current work aims to optimise collagen production in vitro using AA+P and other collagen synthesis promoters

Mechanical Stimulation of Tissue-Engineered Ligaments

Mechanical stimulation imparts critical signals that influence musculoskeletal tissue development and biomechanical properties. A bioreactor can be used to load the ligament constructs in vitro. Our current work aims to optimise a mechanical stimulation regime to augment graft properties.

Collagen production in fibrin-based ligaments

Tissue Engineering

The collagen accumulation in fibrin-based tissue-engineered ligaments can be augmented using promoters of collagen synthesis. By supplementing the ligaments with ascorbic acid and proline, we can increase collagen deposition and mechanical properties of the grafts. Our current work aims to optimise collagen production in vitro using AA+P and other collagen synthesis promoters.

Acicular Magnetite Nanoparticles via Biologically-controlled Precipitation

Biomineralisation is the ability of biological organisms to induce, control and/or inhibit the formation of a wide range of mineral forms: typically through protein-ion interaxtions. Many organisms exhibit highly specialised magnetic nanopartickes that have been replicated in vitro by coprecipitation in the prescence of recombinant protein. These acicular nanoparticles are formed when iron oxide is precipoitated in the presence of bovine serum albumin

Research

The principle focus of our research is around understanding the interactions between biological systems and materials. A better understanding of these interactions has allowed us to develop material that can stimulate a specific tissue response or may exhibit predictable properties in a biological system. This has enabled the development of bioresponsive bone graft replacements, the formulation of materials for cell encapsulation and the production of tissues ex-vivo.

Work has been funded through a multitude of resources including: the BBSRC, EPSRC, EU, ORUK, the NSFC, NIHR and industry.

TRAILab Research