Dublin City University
Research
Team
University of Ulster at Jordanstown
The Queen's University Belfast
Prof. Dermot Diamond
Research Director
Research Interests: Senior
Lecturer in Analytical Chemistry: Particularly development and applications
of electrochemical/optical sensors and flow analysis; synthesis of novel
receptor molecules based on calixarenes for sensors, sensor arrays and
intelligent instrumentation; virtual instrumentation; use of microcomputers
for data capture, interpretation, microdialysis on-line sampling, laboratory
automation and LIMS. Current projects include the development of a screening
test for cystic fibrosis, novel sensors for the determination of lead and
other ions of clinical and environmental significance and an electronic
nose based system for the detection of illicit drugs, in particular cocaine
and heroin.
Prof. Richard O'Kennedy
Research Interests: Biochemistry/ Immuneology. In particular
the development of novel antibody- and cell-based sensor sytems; drug metabolism
and mode of action (coumarins and phenazines); antibody based assay development;
novel antibody labelling systems; genetic methods of antibody production.
Current projects include the development of novel immunosensors for organophosphate
pesticides, warfarin, detection of cocaine and alflatoxins in food.
Prof. Malcolm SmythResearch Interests: Analytical Chemistry: Particularly applications
of voltammetry in biological and environmental chemistry; modified electrodes,
microelectrodes; electrochemical immunoassay; enzyme electrodes; biosensors;
application of HPLC in drug analysis; capillary zone electrophoresis.
Prof. Brian
MacCraithResearch Interests: The Optical Sensors Laboratory is concerned
mainly with the development of sensors for environmental, industrial and
biomedical applications. In general terms the research involves the application
of advanced optoelectronic technology to the detection of minute quantities
of chemical species such as flammable gases or water pollutants. Techniques
include ultraviolet, visible and infrared spectroscopy combined with optical
fibres or planar optical waveguides. The group has a well established international
reputation in this area and has pioneered techniques such as sensor coatings
based on the encapsulation of reactive molecules in nanoporous sol-gel
glass. Consequently, there are close research ties with companies in a
number of countries and a number of our sensors are being evaluated for
commercialization. Current projects include the development of gas sensors
for oxygen and ammonia, and sensors for hydrocarbons and pesticides in
drinking water. Much of the work is interdisciplinary in nature and often
involves collaboration with chemists, biologists and materials scientists.
Dr. Robert Forster
Research Interests: Supramolecular assemblies, especially self-assembled and spontaneously adsorbed monolayers on electrodes; spectroscopy, kinetics and mechanisms of high speed electron transfer and chemical reactions; electrochemistry under extreme conditions and in unusual media; smart materials for triggered release applications and sensor development.
University
of Ulster at Jordanstown
Dr. Eric McAdams
Dr. Jim McLaughlinProf. John Anderson
Head of School Electrical and Mechanical Engineering
Research Interests: Professor John Anderson joined the University
of Ulster as Reader in Electronics in the Department of Electrical and
Electronic Engineering in 1981. He had spent the previous fourteen years
as Head of the Electronics Laboratories for the Regional Cardiology Centre
at the Royal Victoria Hospital. In 1986 he was appointed Director of NIBEC,
a post which he retained until late 1994 when he became Head of the School
of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering. He has published over 180 papers
and seven patents in the field of Bio-Engineering Research and has presented
at over 30 different conferences. Professor Anderson is on the editorial
board of Medical Device and Diagnostic Industry in the USA and Medical
Device and Diagnostic Industry Europe. In the US he sits on two committees
for the Association of the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI)
for the development of US medical standards.
The Queen's University of Belfast
Research interests: David Woolfson is Professor of Pharmaceutics
and Head of the Research Division at the School of Pharmacy, The Queen's
University of Belfast. He is Director of the BEST Centre Laboratory at
Queen's and is also Director of the Pharmaceutical Formulation Research
Unit .. He has published 2 books, over 200 scientific articles and holds
several patents in percutaneous anaesthesia and drug delivery. Professor
Woolfson is a Member of the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland,
the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists and is a Fellow of
the Royal Society of Chemistry. He is an appointed member of the British
Pharmacopoeia Commission. Professor Woolfson has extensive experience of
working with the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. His main research
interests are novel drug delivery systems, particularly bioadhesive systems
for percutaneous, intra-oral, buccal and intravaginal applications; electrically-conducting
bioadhesive hydrogels as sensor interfaces; characterisation technologies
for biopolymer-based drug delivery systems.
Dr. Vincent Casey
University of Wollongong
Prof. Gordon WallaceThe BEST Centre in Dublin City University has a co-operation agreement with The Intelligent Polymer Research Institute (I.P.R.I.) at The University of Wollongong, N.S.W., Australia. The aim of the Institute is the pursuit of intelligent materials and structures through understanding of Polymer Science as this will form the basis of new technologies and products as we enter the 21st century. Also to apply accrued knowledge in the development of realisable short term technologies such as sensing, separations, controlled release, biomaterials and solid state devices including electromechanical actuators.
Further details are available on the Institute web page http://www.uow.edu.au/science/research/ipri/