biomedical sciences research institute - Research - University of Ulster

5. BIOIMAGING RESEARCH GROUPResearch StrategyThe group is involved in three main strands of research:i) nanotoxicologyii) tissue development, andiii) instrumentation.Nanotoxicology:The Group has been successful in attracting EU FP6 funding of €320,000, ‘NanoInteract’, for research into nanoparticlepreparation techniques for biological substrates, delivery systems and toxicity measurements at the cellular level.Two full-time RAs are involved in this work. The group has also learned that it has been successful in attracting EUFP7 funding €450,000, ‘NeuroNano’, which will start in the near future and allow the expansion of the nanotoxicolgyactivities.Tissue Development:A process that commences in the embryo but goes on throughout life and includes degenerative processes. Onemain area of interest is the vascularisation of tissues in health and disease states such as wound healing and oculardevelopment. During 2008 an EPSRC grant to investigate the role of angiogenesis in wound healing (£260,000 – UUcomponent)) came to an end (Joint between Nottingham, Brighton and UU) which examined the role of bloodvessel growth over time in the same wound and modelling their growth based on structural and physiologicalparameters. This led to several publications on the longitudinal analysis of wounds using epi-fluorescence and confocalmicroscopy, which is a particular strength of the group. We have also attracted a grant from the BBSRC (£356,000 –UU component) will commence in February 2008 in conjunction with colleagues at Heriot-Watt and the Universityof Dundee. This collaborative project is examining the cellular and molecular determinants of retinal vascular plexusformation and how mathematical modelling can be used to predict the outcome of vascular patterning.. Anothermajor strand of interest concerns neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, usinganimal models. The new FP7 grant will, when it comes on stream, allow for the integration of the neurodegenerativeand nanotoxicology strands of research. Tissue engineering techniques are being investigated with colleagues inBoston (USA) to develop an in vitro model of breast tissue to study the relationship between tissue dysgenesisand cancer. In all the tissue development projects the use of stereology, for which this group has an internationalreputation for innovation and excellence, is a common factor.Instrumentation:This year has seen the finalisation the Centre for Advanced Imaging centred around the 3 new FEI electronmicroscopes recently installed. This includes a unique cryo-dual beam SEM which facilitates ‘nano-milling’ of frozenbiological tissue with imaging able to resolve 2 nanometres. This will prove invaluable in nanotoxicology research.The group is researching, in collaboration with Unilever Research, a Raman spectroscopy facility which will lead to‘chemical mapping’ at the nanoscale, which is going to be the next big development in bioimaging.Members of the Group:Academic Staff:Professor Vyvyan HowardGroup Leader: Professor of BioimagingContact Details:T: +44 (0)28 70323383v.howard@ulster.ac.ukDuring the year Vyvyan Howard was elected a Fellow of the Collegium Ramazzini, one of the foremost institutions20