Working with colleagues at UHCW, we have demonstrated the detection of SARS-COV-2 virus using liquid samples. Our team in 2020, discovered that SARS-COV-2 spike protein could bind sialic acids Link opens in a new window(specialised sugars) and developed this for lateral-flow and flow-through detection as the first example of a glyco-assay, Link opens in a new windowrather than more established anti-body based detection. In this present work, the team show a solution-phase assay which can be conducted in multiwell plates and is hence suitable for automation. The key design of this was rod-shaped gold nanoparticles, with a synthetic polymer tether connecting the sugars. The rod-shaped particles' longitudinal SPR band is very sensitive to binding changes, and at 800 nm, is not subject to interference from e.g. background media. We showed function using a recombinent spike protein (the N-terminal domain specifically) and also using primary swab samples.

Read the paper hereLink opens in a new window

The Newton International Fellowship Scheme is open, closing 16th March 2022. This schemes lets overseas researchers join us for post-doctoral research for up to 2 years. We have previously hosted a fellow who has gone on to be an assistant professor in italy, and these are great chance to kick-start independant careers. Details can be found here. https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/chemistry/research/gibson/gibsongroup/vacancies/

We have several PhD vacancies open. Please see https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/chemistry/research/gibson/gibsongroup/vacancies/ for full details

With our partners at Cytivia (who host Prof Gibson as a Royal Society Industry fellow) and the Sagona Group (School of life sciences) we have investigated how polymers can be used to cryopreserve bacteriophages. Methods to freeze cells have attracted huge interest of late, for application in cell based therapies and biotechnology.We have, for example, developed macromolecular cryoprotectants which can control ice growth/formation and/or protect cells during freezing. However, virus storage is less explored. Viruses are essential from as vaccines, to vectors to engineer cells. Bacteriophages (phage) are specific bacterial viruses and several are used already to remove bacterial infections and they may have application in the future as therapies, or diagnostics. In this work, we observed (surprisingly) that just adding a small amount of PEG (poly(ethyleneglycol) protected phage during several freeze/thaw cycles at both -80 and -20 C. The mechanism of this was not clear, but ice growth (and its inhibition) was ruled out. We are continuing to study this, and to evaluate the use of polymers in many cryopreservation scenarios.

Read the paper here

Polymer Mediated Cryopreservation of Bacteriophages

With our partners Iceni Diagnostics, we have been exploring lateral flow diagnostics (LFDs), and in particular replacing the need for antibodies with glycans and polymers. We have previously demonstrated that glycans can be used for detection, and in a flow-through device but we had not constructed a complete device with glycans on the stationary phase (the paper) AND mobile phase (gold nanoparticles). Our latest work, published in Advanced Healthcare Materials, shows a proof of concept that a 'lateral flow glyco assay', where only glycans are used for detection is possible. We fine-tune the polymer linkers and nanoparticle size, showing how these can modulate the signal outputs, without needing to tune the 'binder' (the glycan) - this is a significant benefit, when trying to ensure devices are selective. We show this using two lectins (carbohydrate binding proteins) and assemble complete devices for lectin detection. We think this has huge potential spanning pandemic preparedness to tools for fundamental glycoscience.

Read the paper here

Lateral Flow Glyco-Assays for the Rapid and Low-Cost Detection of Lectins - Polymeric Linkers and Particle Engineering are Essential for Selectivity and Performance

Our latest work into how we can re-engineer lateral flow tests with polymeric components is published! Lateral flow tests (LFDs) are widely used for home pregnancy tests, to monitor the spread of COVID-19. A typical LFD uses antibodies on a gold nanoparticle (which makes the red colour) and forms a 'sandwich' with the analyte and another anti-body immobilised onto the paper-surface of the device. We have recently shown how synthetic polymers can be used on the gold nanoparticle surface to anchor targetting ligands which are not antibodies (e.g. glycans). In this work we explored using polymers to immobilise onto the test line (i.e. onto the paper). The current methods to immobilise non-antibody ligands is to chemically conjugate ligands onto polymeric carriers, which is non-trivial. We show here that poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) can be immobilised onto the paper, due to its ability to be dissolved in water (essential for printing) but being sufficiently hydrophobic to be retained. We install biotin and N-acetyl galactosamine as model capture units, showing that the PVP test line can be used. This is the first step towards making a robust and versatile polymeric capture agent to expand the scope of LFDs beyond antibodies.

Read the paper here:

End-Functionalized Poly(Vinyl Pyrrolidone) for Ligand Display in Lateral Flow Device Test Lines

The University of Warwick has scholarships open for PhD candidates. These include EU/overseas students in many cases.

Check them out at the link below, and get in touch if you are interested in improving human health with biomaterials; glycobiology, diagnostics, cell/protein storage, ice binding-proteins, cryobiology or polymer chemistry!

https://warwick.ac.uk/services/dc/schols_fund/scholarships_and_funding/