Mechanism of interaction of graphene oxide nanomaterials with bacteria.

Supervisors:
Dr Kostas Gkatzionis, School of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Dr Alessio Alexiadis, School of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Dr Hanene Ali-Boucetta, School of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, College of Medical and Dental Sciences

A PhD project is offered as collaboration research between the School of Clinical and Experimental Medicine and the School of Chemical Engineering, recent recipient of a Queen’s Anniversary Prize for its outstanding track record in collaborative research and training.
Graphene-based-nanomaterials have shown great promise in material science, electronics, energy application and biomedical field. Graphene oxide (GO); a single layer graphene sheets with oxygen-containing functional groups is the most notable due to its aqueous dispersibility favouring its biological applications. The systematic understanding of the mechanism of interaction of GO with microorganisms is pivotal for further development of its biomedical applications such as drug delivery vectors and biosensors.
This integrative project is at the cutting edge of nanotechnology, microbiology and modelling. The project will incorporate novel approaches in the preparation and characterisation of graphene nanomaterials using a wide range of techniques. These will be utilised in microbiological assays and advanced microscopy for identifying and characterising underlying interactions with microorganisms.
Multi-scale computational modelling for the numerical simulation of biological interactions of the interaction between the GO and bacteria will be a core element of the project. This will give a better idea of how such 2D material interacts and gets uptaken by bacterial cells. Experiments will be employed in combination with modelling techniques such as coarse-grained molecular dynamics (CGMD) and hybrid methods. Previous computational modelling experience is not required; however, strong mathematical skills are essential.
The research is poised on the intersection between microbiology, modelling and pharmaceutical nanoscience and reflects the strengths of the University of Birmingham in these three areas. Whenever opportunities arise, the student will be visiting laboratories across the UK and abroad to bring-in new expertise as well as core facilities and centres of expertise available across the University of Birmingham. The exact programme of research will be defined by discussion between the student and supervisors.
If successful, students will undertake one year of training across the partnership, and continue to an additional 3 years of doctoral research. The scheme aims to produce strong interdisciplinary research-skilled graduates.
Informal enquiries should be directed to: Dr Kostas Gkatzionis: [Email Address Removed]