Student Profile

Alex Lomas

Alex Lomas

The combination of polyhydroxyalkanoates, collagen and stem cells for application in tendon tissue engineering

PhD Supervisor(s): Nick Forsyth, Alicia El Haj

Keele University

Contact Email: alexanderjames.lomas@nuigalway.ie

Undergraduate Degree: BEng Biomaterial Science and Tissue Engineering, University of Sheffield

PhD Summary

Forming part of the HYANJI scaffold collaboration between European and Chinese universities my project has investigated the use of biopolymer molecules in combination with a variety of cell types and other scaffold materials.

During the three years I have participated on an academic exchange to Tsinghua University (Beijing) focused on developing and completing a pilot in vivo experiment during a 6 month period, proving me with experience of research and clinical practice in other cultures.

I have worked closely with clinicians and industrial partners on a side project at UHNS Orthopaedics department, this has also helped me to develop strong teamwork skills and research techniques with external partners.
 
Prepared and published original research manuscripts to high impact international journals whilst also actively sought awards and small grants to aid in travel and research expenses. This has included engaging with opinion leaders in the Regenerative Medicine field through internal and externally arranged meetings and conferences.

Skills & Techniques 

  • Biomaterials/Polymer Science
  • Stem Cell Biology
  • Cell Culture, Molecular Biology
  • Histology
  • Mechanical Stimulation Bioreactors
  • Material Characterisation and Testing
  • Small animal in vivo experimentation
  • Literature Research

 

Publications, Presentations and Awards

Publications

  • Alex J. Lomas, George G. Q. Chen, Alicia J. El. Haj, Nicholas R. Forsyth. Poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) supports adhesion and migration of mesenchymal stem cells and tenocytes. World J Stem Cells 2012, 26; 4(9): 94-100.
  • Alex J Lomas, William R Webb, JianFeng Han, Xun Sun, Zhirong Zhang, George GQ Chen, Alicia J El Haj, Nicholas R Forsyth. Poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate)/collagen hybrid scaffolds for Tissue Engineering Applications. Tissue Engineering C. 2012. (in press).
  • William R. Webb, Tina P. Dale, Alex J. Lomas, Guodong Zeng, Ian Wimpenny, Alicia J. El Haj, Nicholas R. Forsyth, Guo-Qiang. Chen. The application of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) scaffolds for tendon repair in the rat model. Biomaterials 2013 (in review).
  • Daniela Cigognini, Alexander Lomas, Pramod Kumar, Abhigyan Satyam, Andrew English, Ayesha Azeem, Abhay Pandit, Dimitrios Zeugolis. Engineering in vitro microenvironments. Drug Discovery Today 2013 (in review)
  • AJ Lomas, J Han, GQ Chen, AJ El Haj, NR Forsyth. Utilising stem cells and poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate)/collagen hybrid scaffolds for tendon tissue engineering. European Cells and Materials 2011 Vol. 22 Suppl. 3 (page 29)
  • WR Webb, AJ Lomas, G Zeng, GQ Chen, AJ El Haj, NR Forsyth. Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHHx) Scaffolds for Tendon Repair in the Rat Model. European Cells and Materials 2011 Vol. 22 Suppl. 3 (page 34)
  • Lomas AJ, Webb WR, Zeng G, Forsyth NR, El Haj AJ, Chen GQ. Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate- co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHHX) scaffolds for tendon repair in the rat model. Histology and Histopathology 2011 Vol. 26 Suppl. 1 (page 160).
  • AJ Lomas, GQ Chen, AJ El Haj and NR Forsyth Mechanostimulation of human mesenchymal stem cells in PHBHHx /collagen hybrid scaffolds for tendon tissue engineering applications Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Vol. 6, Suppl. s1 (page 46)

Awards

  • European Union 7th framework HYANJI scaffold EU-China exchange programme. 6 months (May-November 2010) academic exchange to Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
  • Awarded travel bursary by the British Council (BIRAX) to attend and present poster at the BIRAX conference hosted by Ben Gurian University, Israel. Nov 2011.
  • TCES travel grant to attend and present at TERMIS World Congress 2012.

Current Employment

Marie Curie IAPP Research Fellow, Network of Excellence for Functional Biomaterials, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.  http://www.nfb.ie/

 

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