Development of microarray polymer surfaces for cell sorting applications
PhD Supervisor(s): Morgan Alexander, Cameron Alexander, Giuseppe Mantovani, Lee Buttery
Contact Email: paxfs2@nottingham.ac.uk
Undergraduate Degree: – BSc Forensic Science (University of Lincoln); MSc Cancer Chemistry University of Leicester
PhD Summary
My project consists of developing microarray surfaces for the discovery of new materials by high throughout methods capable of separating a heterogeneous mixture of cells based on their adhesion affinity for different surface chemistries.
The fabrication of these multi-functional surfaces is made possible by the use of piezo inkjet and micro contact printers. Surface analysis is carried out by Water Contact Angle (WCA), Time of Flight – Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) and X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS).
Raw materials used in surface functionalization consist of either polymers or small molecules, thus requiring the use of several organic chemistry and controlled radical polymerization techniques (click chemistry, RAFT, ATRP and free radical polymerization, among others).
The relationship between surface chemistry and cell behaviour can be analysed by statistical techniques, thus enabling an understanding of structure-activity relationship (Multivariate analysis: PCA, PLS).
Fluorescent and confocal microscopy techniques are used to identify different cells adhered to our surfaces.
The future of this project lies in the combination of specific surface chemistry and microfluidic technologies in order to sort cells accurately, while allowing for the generation of inexpensive and disposable devices.
