Research group

Microfluidics and Sensors

Two fingers wearing globes holding a microchip

Microfluidics is the interdisciplinary study of the behaviour, manipulation and application of fluid at the microscale. It underpins the concept of the lab-on-a-chip, where multiple key components and operations are integrated onto one small platform.

About

 

This is an important underlying technology with applications across a diverse range of fields including medicine, chemistry and oceanic research. 

Scientists across the Institute of Life Sciences have been driving microfluidics research and application forward for more than two decades. With a translational approach many of our fundamental science discoveries have resulted in novel micro-engineered devices which have paved the way for how patients are treated in hospital.  

BOB体育登录网址_欧宝体育官网平台-APP|下载 research teams span fields from engineering and physics to medicine and biology and are carrying out research into areas such as single cell analysis, organ-on-a-chip, neuroscience, clinical diagnostics, personalised medicine and environmental monitoring. BOB体育登录网址_欧宝体育官网平台-APP|下载 scientists use microfluidic devices and systems to find solutions to some of today’s biggest challenges including antimicrobial resistance and ocean climate changes. 

As well as using microfluidics to provide engineering solutions for biological and healthcare applications our scientists are also training the next generation of microfluidics experts. BOB体育登录网址_欧宝体育官网平台-APP|下载 postgraduate students work alongside international leaders in their field, shaping and developing research projects as well as conducting their own research investigations. 

Staff and students alike also have access to cutting-edge facilities which contain state of the art analytical equipment, dedicated cell and tissue culture laboratory and rapid prototyping clean rooms. 

People, projects and publications

People

Dr Collin Sones

Principal Research Fellow
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Professor Hywel Morgan MBE

Professor of Bioelectronics

Research interests

  • Microfluidics
  • Bio-sensors
  • Lab-on-a-chip technologies

Accepting applications from PhD students

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Dr Jonathan West BSc, PhD, FHEA, MRSC

Associate Professor of Biomicrofluidics

Research interests

  • Thrombosis prediction at the point of care
  • Microfluidic HDX for investigating protein dynamics
  • Droplet microfluidics for time-resolved serial crystallography

Accepting applications from PhD students

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Professor Marcel Utz

Professorial Fellow-Research

Research interests

  • Integration of microfluidic lab-on-a-chip technology with NMR spectroscopy and imaging;
  • Behaviour of complex materials.
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Professor Martyn Hill

Professor of Electromechanical Systems
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Dr Matthew Rose-Zerilli BSc (Hons) PhD FHEA

Lecturer in Integrative Cancer Biology

Research interests

  • Cancer prevention
  • Innate immunity
  • Tumour microenvironment

Accepting applications from PhD students

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Professor Paul Elkington

Director of Inst. for Medical Innovation

Research interests

  • tuberculosis
  • immunopathology
  • diagnosis

Accepting applications from PhD students

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Professor Xize Niu

Professor of Biosensing&Microengineering

Research interests

  • Microfluidics
  • Lab-on-a-chip
  • Sensors

Accepting applications from PhD students

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Professor Xunli Zhang PhD, DIC, FRSC, CChem, CEng

Professor of Bioengineering

Research interests

  • Microfluidics and Lab-on-a-Chip Technologies
  • Biomedical and Chemical Engineering
  • Nanomaterials

Accepting applications from PhD students

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Professor Ying Cheong

Professor of Reproductive Medicine
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Hywel Morgan
Professor of Bioelectronics
Interdisciplinary research teams collaborate across engineering technologies with applications in medicine, biology and environment to create novel and disruptive research activity in areas including diagnostics, infectious diseases and water testing.

Contact us

Contact us

Contact the Institute for Life Sciences team by emailing: