Explore our diagnosis and therapy research
Exploring the design, synthesis and biomedical applications of biomaterials, biosensors, drugs and drug delivery systems
Our research investigates bioactive molecules and biocompatible materials for their potential use as drug carriers, bioadhesives, therapeutic and diagnostic agents, tissue regeneration scaffolds and surgical implants.
We work on both natural and synthetic polymeric materials, giving them enhanced properties, such as the ability to respond to stimuli of different nature (smart materials), to simulate body structure and function (biomimetic materials), enhance diagnostic techniques and target drugs to specific parts of the body.
Our work is supported by expertise in:
- molecular modelling and molecular dynamics techniques
- polymer synthesis and characterisation
- production of nano materials (polymeric or lipid nanoparticles, silver and gold nanostructures, DNA based constructs)
- medicinal chemistry
- formulation science
- quantitative analytical techniques
- developing biomedical technologies for clinical cancer diagnosis
- biological evaluation of biomaterials with both cells and microorganisms
- manufacturing technologies such as nanoparticles self-assembly, emulsion and suspension techniques, 3D printing and electrospinning
Collaborations
We frequently collaborate with researchers from other disciplines – such as clinicians and engineers – within the University, and with industrial partners, and the National Health Service (NHS). Our research projects have been funded by major organisations, including Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), GlaxoSmithKline and Haleon.
Publication highlights
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The formation and displacement of ordered DNA triplexes in self-assembled three-dimensional DNA crystals
Zhao, Y., Chandrasekaran, A. R., Rusling, D. A., Woloszyn, K., Hao, Y., Hernandez, C., Vecchioni, S., Ohayon, Y. P., Mao, C., Seeman, N. C. and Sha, R., (2023), "The formation and displacement of ordered DNA triplexes in self-assembled three-dimensional DNA crystals", Journal of the American Chemical Society.
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A reactive oxygen species-scavenging ‘stealth’ polymer, poly(thioglycidyl glycerol), outperforms poly(ethylene glycol) in protein conjugates and nanocarriers and enhances protein stability to environmental and biological stressors
d’Arcy, R., El Mohtadi, F., Francini, N., R. DeJulius, C., Back, H., Gennari, A., Geven, M., Lopez-Cavestany, M., Yesim Turhan, Z., Yu, F., Bong Lee, J., R. King, M., Kagan, L., Duvall, C. L. and Tirelli, N., (2022), "A reactive oxygen species-scavenging ‘stealth’ polymer, poly(thioglycidyl glycerol), outperforms poly(ethylene glycol) in protein conjugates and nanocarriers and enhances protein stability to environmental and biological stressors", Journal of the American Chemical Society.
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Sourcing thermotolerant poly(ethylene terephthalate) hydrolase scaffolds from natural diversity
Roncada, T., Bonithon, R., Blunn, G., and Roldo, M. (2022) "Soft substrates direct stem cell differentiation into the chondrogenic lineage without the use of growth factors", Journal of Tissue Engineering
Facilities
Marta Roldo Lab
Learn more about the research Marta and her team are conducting as a part of the Advanced Materials for Diagnosis and Therapy Research Group.
View our areas of expertise
These areas of expertise are part of Pharmacy, Pharmacology and Biomedical Sciences research area.
Nanomaterials for Drug and Gene Delivery
We're helping to create targeted, safe and effective medicines to positively impact patients' lives.
Diagnostics
We develop novel technologies for disease diagnosis at an early pre-symptomatic stage using a synergistic combination of gold nanostructures and unique Raman spectroscopic techniques
Biomaterials for tissue engineering
We work at developing products that will be used in the repair of damaged tissue, in particular cartilage, bone, tendons and muscles.
Theory, Modelling and Drug Design
Discover how our research identifies new drug molecules and improves drug design
