Professor Artemis Stamboulis

Supervisor Details

Contact Details

School of Metallurgy and Materials, University of Birmingham

Scientific Background

Research Interests

My research interests centre on the design, modification and performance of engineering materials for healthcare and other high value applications. I work across metals, ceramics, glasses, polymers and composites, with particular emphasis on surfaces and interfaces, antimicrobial and bioactive materials, surface functionalisation, additive manufacturing, degradation, tribology and long term material performance. A major part of my work has focused on how surface chemistry, microstructure and processing affect interactions with biological systems, including the development of antimicrobial surfaces, peptide functionalised materials and multifunctional titanium based systems. A second major interest is translational materials research, where materials are developed with their route to practical use considered from the start. This includes manufacturability, durability, biological performance, scale up and links with clinical or industrial needs. I am particularly interested in interdisciplinary work that connects materials science with microbiology, cell biology, diagnostics, extracellular vesicles and therapeutic delivery, while retaining a strong engineering materials base. My longer term aim is to develop material systems in which structure, processing, interface behaviour and service performance are linked directly to function and application.

Scientific Inspiration

Marie Curie was my first scientific inspiration and, in many ways, the reason I chose to study Chemistry. From an early age, I was fascinated by both her scientific work and her determination to pursue research at a time when women faced major barriers in science. Later in my career, Professor Larry Hench became another important influence. Meeting him at Imperial College introduced me to the idea that materials could be designed not simply to replace damaged tissue, but to interact actively with the biological environment and support repair. His work helped shape my move from polymers and composites towards biomaterials. These two influences represent different stages of my scientific life: Marie Curie inspired me to become a scientist, while Larry Hench helped define the kind of scientist I wanted to become, with a focus on materials science that can lead to real clinical and societal benefit.

Supervision Style

In three words or phrases: Supportive, accessible, structured.

Provision of Training

I provide PhD training through regular supervision, clear research planning and access to technical, scientific and professional development opportunities. I also encourage students to gain independence through conference participation, interdisciplinary collaboration, specialist training and increasing responsibility for their own research.

Progression Monitoring and Management

I monitor progression through regular one to one meetings, agreed short and medium term goals, and periodic review of research outputs, training needs and any issues affecting progress. I use formal progression reviews alongside these regular discussions to adjust priorities, identify support needs early and make sure the student remains on track while taking increasing ownership of the project.

Communication

I communicate regularly and openly with my students through face to face meetings and email, and I am happy for them to contact me whenever they need advice. I may send emails outside normal working hours because of my own working pattern, but I make it clear that there is no expectation for students to read or respond to them until their normal working hours.

Meetings

PhD Students can expect scheduled meetings with me at least once per month. These meetings will be face-to-face. I am usually contactable for an instant response 3 or 4 days per week.

Work Patterns

The timing of work in my lab is completely flexible, and (other than attending pre-arranged meetings) I expect students to manage their own time.

Notice Period for Feedback

I need at least 1 week's notice to provide feedback on written work of up to 5,000 words.

MIBTP Project Details

Primary supervisor for:

Engineering Piezo-Activated PLLA Biointerfaces to Control Antimicrobial Peptide Binding, ROS Signalling and Host-Microbe Responses

See the PhD Opportunities section to see if this project is currently open for applications via MIBTP.

Please Note: The main page lists projects via BBSRC Research Theme(s) quoted and then relevant Topic(s).

Engineering Piezo-Activated PLLA Biointerfaces to Control Antimicrobial Peptide Binding, ROS Signalling and Host-Microbe Responses

Secondary Supervisor(s): Dr Ayesha Rahman

University of Registration: University of Birmingham

BBSRC Research Themes:

Integrated Understanding of Health (Pharmaceuticals, Regenerative Biology)

Project Outline

This PhD project will develop an engineered biointerface in which mechanical stimulation controls antimicrobial peptide presentation, reactive oxygen species generation and host-microbe responses. Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) is a biocompatible piezoelectric polymer that generates local electrical fields under strain. The central hypothesis is that these mechanically activated fields can regulate biological function at the material surface, including peptide binding, bacterial membrane disruption, ROS-mediated antimicrobial activity and mammalian cell compatibility.

The project will follow a design-build-test-learn approach. Modelling will predict how PLLA crystallinity, orientation and strain influence surface potential, peptide binding and ROS-related energetics. PLLA films will then be fabricated and characterised using DSC, WAXS/GISAXS, PFM and KPFM to link processing, structure and electromechanical behaviour. Antimicrobial peptides developed in the Stamboulis group will be tested for strain-dependent binding to PLLA using AFM and, where suitable, SPR. The biological effects of activation will be assessed using ROS assays, EPR, bacterial membrane assays, biofilm models, macrophage response and cytotoxicity testing.

The engineering biology focus is the control of biological behaviour through an engineered material interface. Instead of relying on passive coatings or continuous chemical release, the project will test whether mechanical activation can regulate peptide-surface interactions, bacterial killing and host-cell response. The expected outputs are a mechanistic model linking PLLA piezoelectricity to biological function, datasets linking surface potential to antimicrobial response, and a prototype piezo-activated antimicrobial PLLA surface for future translational development in orthopaedics, chronic wounds, and amputation infections.