Next Generation Graphene-Based Biocatalytic Electrodes

The overall aim of this research is to develop graphene-enzyme interfaces that enable rapid electron tunnelling from the graphene substrate to the enzyme active site. Such a capability will enable the efficient integration of redox enzymes on to graphene electrodes, leading to the miniaturised bioelectrocatalytic devices for sensing and power generation; which are free from precious metals and physically flexible. For example, lactate dehydrogenase and glucose oxidase are used in the sensing elements in wearable electronics.

Key to the maximisation of the tunnelling current between the electrode and enzyme is the application of bioconjugate chemistries that are able to: (i) give a uniform enzyme orientation and minimum distance between the substrate and the enzyme’s electron acceptor site; and (ii) does not disrupt graphene’s sp2 lattice. This research will therefore aim to investigate the use of bespoke polyaromatic compounds that are able to bind in a site-selective manner to enzymes, and adhere to the graphene by π-π stacking. Specifically, it will involve (i) optimisation and characterisation of the immobilisation of the polyaromatics on graphene (e.g. by Raman mapping, AFM, XPS); (ii) demonstrate the use of these molecules for the immobilisation of enzymes; (iii) electrochemically characterise the electron transport efficiency into the immobilised enzymes; (iv) investigate the scalability of this immobilisation approach through massively parallelised scanning probe nanolithography.

The successful candidate should have an interest in one or more of the following areas: bioorganic chemistry, electrochemistry, materials characterisation, nanofabrication; and is interested in developing a range of new skills. This work will equip the successful candidate expertise that are critical for the advanced materials sector – the ability to rationally engineer new, high-value nanomaterials through fundamental insights in molecular structure and chemical reactivity.

Our laboratory is located in the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology (www.mib.ac.uk), one of the University of Manchester’s state-of-the-art research institutes. We host researchers from a range of backgrounds including chemistry, materials science, physics and biochemistry.

Qualifications
Applicants should have or expect to obtain a good 1st or II(i) honours degree (or an equivalent degree) in a relevant subject.

Contacts for further information
For enquiries about admission, qualifications etc. please email [Email Address Removed].

For enquiries about the project please email [Email Address Removed].