In situ characterisation of the bio-nano interface of hybrid fluorescent semiconducting nanoparticles for in vitro

The two key aims of this project are to fabricate antibody-functionalised fluorescent nanoparticles, which have; A) excellent colloidal stability and B) can bind to the target analyte with a high specificity, in a range of complex solutions.
A) A range of nanoparticle stabilisation methods will be screened using bespoke characterisation methods, including light scattering techniques (dynamic and static) and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS). Colloidal characterisation will be facilitated by the extensive nanoparticle experience in the Stevens group (Creamer, Stevens et al., Nat. Comm., 2018 & Howes, Stevens et al., Science, 2013) .
B) Analyte binding will be screened via quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). The group of Dr. Guldin routinely immobilises nanoparticles on QCM to study the interaction of the nanoparticles with the analyte of choice and non-specific interactions with other proteins, in complex solutions (Yang, Guldin et al., Nanoscale, 2019 & Suthar, Guldin et al., Analytical Chemistry, 2020). This technique will be used to guide and inform the bioconjugation optimisation.
The fulfilment of these aims will facilitate fluorescent immunostaining with fluorophores which are much brighter and more photostable than the conventional dyes (e.g. AlexaFluor488), opening up the possibility for long-term tracking of biological processes in complex environments.

The production and processing of materials accounts for 15% of UK GDP and generates exports valued at £50bn annually, with UK materials related industries having a turnover of £197bn/year. It is, therefore, clear that the success of the UK economy is linked to the success of high value materials manufacturing, spanning a broad range of industrial sectors. In order to remain competitive and innovate in these sectors it is necessary to understand fundamental properties and critical processes at a range of length scales and dynamically and link these to the materials' performance. It is in this underpinning space that the CDT-ACM fits.

The impact of the CDT will be wide reaching, encompassing all organisations who research, manufacture or use advanced materials in sectors ranging from energy and transport to healthcare and the environment. Industry will benefit from the supply of highly skilled research scientists and engineers with the training necessary to advance materials development in all of these crucial areas. UK and international research facilities (Diamond, ISIS, ILL etc.) will benefit greatly from the supply of trained researchers who have both in-depth knowledge of advanced characterisation techniques and a broad understanding of materials and their properties. UK academia will benefit from a pipeline of researchers trained in state-of the art techniques in world leading research groups, who will be in prime positions to win prestigious fellowships and lectureships. From a broader perspective, society in general will benefit from the range of planned outreach activities, such as the Mary Rose Trust, the Royal Society Summer Exhibition and visits to schools. These activities will both inform the general public and inspire the next generation of scientists.

The cohort based training offered by the CDT-ACM will provide the next generation of research scientists and engineers who will pioneer new research techniques, design new multi-instrument workflows and advance our knowledge in diverse fields. We will produce 70 highly qualified and skilled researchers who will support the development of new technologies, in for instance the field of electric vehicles, an area of direct relevance to the UK industrial impact strategy.
In summary, the CDT will address a skills gap that has arisen through the rapid development of new characterisation techniques; therefore, it will have a positive impact on industry, research facilities and academia and, consequently, wider society by consolidating and strengthening UK leadership in this field.