Nanoscale Function Group

David Corish

David Corish graduated from Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) in 2004 with BSc (Hons) Physics and Physics Technology. He is currently studying for a PhD under the joint supervision of Prof. Suzi Jarvis, Prof John Pethica (School of Physics TCD) and Prof Brian O'Connell (School of Dentistry, TCD) where he is investigating the role of nanoscale surface properties in the regulation of cell behaviour. The focus of this project is to establish the optimum implant surface properties in order to elicit rapid osseointegration and bone development. The work involves investigating the response of Osteoblasts (bone forming cells) to chemically and mechanically modified nano-tubular titania surfaces. AFM, confocal microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and various cell assays are currently being employed for surface characterisation and cellular response analysis. See Biocompatible Materials

Padraig Keane

Padraig Keane graduated from UCD in 2007 with a BSc in Genetics and Zoology. He went on to study for an MRes in Medical and Molecular Biosciences at Newcastle University, England, where he investigated potential epigenetic influences in the development of osteoarthritis. He was first round recipient of an IRCSET postgraduate fellowship in 2008 and joined the group in October of that year, under the supervision of Prof. Suzi Jarvis and Dr Anika Mostaert. Padraig is studying mechanisms of adhesion in a diverse range of species. He is particularly interested in how some animals can generate reliable adhesion when required, yet are also able to detach safely and quickly at will. His current research focuses on the amyloid-based temporary adhesive of the parasitic marine flatworm Entobdella soleae, and also the 'dry' adhesive system found in a number of spider families. See Amyloid

Paul Weafer

Paul Weafer graduated from NUI, Galway in 2008 with a B.E. (Hons) in Biomedical Engineering. He is currently studying for a PhD in cell biomechanics under the supervision of Dr. Patrick McGarry (Dept. of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, NUI Galway) and Prof. Suzi Jarvis. Paul is studying the active dynamics of the cytoskeleton during mechanical stimulation using the combination of atomic force microscopy and confocal imaging. He will develop finite element models to correlate with these experimental observations. See Single Cell Mechanobiology

Bone Cell Elasticity and Morphology Changes during the Cell Cycle, Kelly, G. M., Kilpatrick, J. I., van Es, M. H., Weafer, P. P., Prendergast, P. J., Jarvis, S. P., Journal of Biomechanics, Accepted for publication.

Tim Brosnan

Tim graduated from UCD in 2009 with a B.Eng. (Hons) in Electronic Engineering. He first joined the Nanoscale Function Group as a summer student in 2008, working closely with our industrial partner, Asylum Research (USA). In 2009 he was a first round recipient of an IRCSET postgraduate fellowship and joined the group in September 2009 under the supervision of Prof. Suzi Jarvis and Dr Brian Rodriguez. Tim’s PhD project is focused on the development of a novel high speed atomic force microscope, for the analysis of biological samples. See Low Noise AFM

Baiyun (Tracy) Liu

Baiyun Liu graduated from Beijing University of Chemical Technology in 2011 with a BSc (Hons) in Material Science and Engineering. She is now studying for a PhD in cell biomechanics under the supervision of Prof. Suzi Jarvis and Dr. Brian Rodriguez. The focus of her project is to probe mechanotransduction pathways using combined atomic force microscopy and confocal microscopy.

Laila Higgins

Laila Higgins graduated from UCD with a BSc Zoology in 2009, and is presently undertaking a PhD under the superivision of Dr. Anika Mostaert, co-supervised by Dr. Tasman Crowe. She is studying the mechanics and structure of natural adhesives from a range of echinoderm species. This project involves the collection of adhesive footprints secreted by starfish, sea urchins and sea cucumbers, and elucidating their nanomechanical properties and structure using AFM, SEM and optical microscopy. The tube feet from these organisms will also be studied with TEM and confocal microscopy in order to investigate the mechanisms of echinoderm adhesion in more detail. 

Liam Collins

Liam Collins graduated from the University of Limerick in 2008 with a BSc (Education) in Biological Science and Physics. In September of 2009 he went on to complete a MSc in Applied Physics at the same institution. He joined the Nanoscale Function Group In April 2010 under the supervision of Dr. Brian Rodriguez. His project is focused on investigating electrostatic interactions at biological surfaces using a scanning probe approach.  Currently he is working towards the implementation of KPFM (Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy) to study a variety of proteins, polynucleotides and lipid membranes in physiologically relevant environments.

Denise Denning

Denise graduated from Dublin City University in 2010 with a BSc. (Hons) in Applied Physics. In September 2010 she joined the Nanoscale Function Group under the supervision of Dr. Brian Rodriguez. She is studying electromechanical coupling in collagen. Her project involves probing the piezoelectric effect in collagen at various structural levels using piezoresponse force microscopy in both ambient and liquid conditions.

Craig Carville

Craig Carville graduated in May 2011 from University of Ulster with a 1st Class Hons. in Biomedical Engineering. He started his PhD studies in Sept. 2011 with the Nanoscale Function Group under the supervision of Dr. Brian Rodriguez and Prof. Suzi Jarvis. Craig is exploring the use of charge-patterned surfaces to study protein adsorption and cellular interactions.