ISTM

Dr Paul Roach was appointed as a lecturer in biomedical / cell and tissue engineering at Keele University in November 2009. He leads the Surface Engineering and Diagnostics Group, with his current research interests building upon his interdisciplinary background spanning synthetic organic chemistry, materials science, experimental physics and instrumentation, and biological response to surface cues.

In 2005 he received a Ph.D. in Chemistry for his investigation of protein-surface interactions, providing new challenges in materials chemistry and biological sensing. Dr Roach was then appointed as a research fellow in the physics team at Nottingham Trent University to design and fabricate "Next Generation Love Waves". These acoustic sensors can be designed to support bulk shear or surface waves, used to detect surface binding events. Surface modification, both during fabrication processes and final construction, therefore gives rise to enhancement in signal allowing analytes to be detected at lower levels. Micro-patterning of such devices also leads to enhancement of signal, along with fundamentally different modes also being generated.

In 2008 Dr Roach broadened his understanding within the biological discipline, taking an MRC funded postdoctoral research position at the University of Nottingham, working between the Schools of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, using a combinatorial approach to examine the effects of surface cues on cell interaction. Gaining experience of low pressure plasma polymer systems for the modification of cell culture substrates, this project also allowed him to combine interests of materials science and biological-surface interaction, developing skills in cell culture methodology.

Dr Roach has also been involved with several other projects involving the design and fabrication of novel materials and surface coatings, also being incorporated into microfluidic devices. These surfaces have either been investigated for use as biomaterials or created for the investigation of superhydrophobicity on protein adsorption. Dr Roach sits on the steering group for the EPSRC Doctoral Training Centre (DTC) for Regenerative Medicine (Loughborough-Nottingham-Keele), being the Operations Manager for Keele. Currently supervising 3 Ph.D. students and being advisor to a further 3 Ph.D. students, he has also supervised a number of masters and undergraduate student projects across the physical and biological sciences.

Since his appointment within ISTM at Keele University, Dr Roach has had the opportunity to act as Director for the MSc courses in Biomedical Engineering and Cell & Tissue Engineering. Having been a tutor on the 'Teaching the Teachers' workshop, his current teaching commitments cover module lead responsibilities for Biosensors and Experimental Research Practice modules, undergraduate medical school problem based learning and hosting of a summer School for medical college students from the Imam University, Saudi Arabia. Dr Roach also sits on the Professionalism and Welfare Committee, Keele Peer Review Committee and is the Academic Conduct Officer for post-graduate medicine at Keele University.

ISTM Research theme: 1. Bioengineering & Therapeutics

My research interests lie at the boundary between chemistry, physics and biology with my main focus towards understanding and developing materials and sensors for biomedical applications. My particular interest is in the design and fabrication of surfaces to invoke desired biological responses. These surfaces have defined characteristics, including but not limited to, nano/ micro topographic features, chemistry and compliance.

Surface cues can be used to control cell adhesion and proliferation as well as protein adsorption characteristics.  Well defined topography from micron sized grooves that can constrain growth guidance of cells, to nano-scale topography on the same length scales as protein molecules themselves can be engineered. The addition of and overlayer of chemistry and/or surface layer stiffness gives an additional complexity to the degree of control over biological responses. Mechanical and electrical stimuli may also be incorporated to enhance tissue growth.

Primary glial cell orientation on micro-grooved and flat substrates.

Current and Previous Teaching Commitments

• MSc modules: Biosensors, Physiological Measurements, Research Methods, Study Skills.
• Problem Based Learning tutor, UG Medical School
• Co-ordinator for MSc in  Cell & Tissue Engineering.
• Postgraduate academic conduct officer, Medical School.
• Physicochemical Science and Medicine Design workshops: thermodynamics and kinetics, and partition and diffusion.
• Lecture for Advanced Instrumentation course delivered to 3rd year Forensics science students
• Demonstration and marking of practical Physics and Forensics laboratories
• One-to-one Chemistry tutorials for undergraduate students
• Supervision of AS Level, foundation and undergraduate students’ projects

Book Chapters

P. Roach, M.R. Alexander, “Plasma Polymers for the Chemical Modification of 3D Scaffolds” in Methods in Bioengineering, Ed. M.L. Yarmush and R.S. Langer, Artech House, Boston, USA. Invited Chapter. In Preparation.

H. Currie, S. Patwardhan, C.C. Perry, P. Roach, N.J. Shirtcliffe, “Natural and Artificial Hybrid Biomaterials” in Hybrid Materials Synthesis, Characterization and Applications, Ed. G. Kicklebrick, Wiley CCH, 2007, Chapter 7, pp. 255-298. Invited Chapter.

Grants and Prizes

• North Staffordshire Medical Institute £10,000, 2011.
• EPSRC Modelling Methods for Medical Engineering initiative £4,500, 2011.
• Selected to take part in ‘Crucible 2009’ organised by the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA), 2010
• Royal Society Travel Grant 2006/R2: £1,350
• Runner up in ‘Materials Today’ Young Writers competition, 2007
• Excellence in Organic Chemistry, project award, 2002