Sustainable Microfluidic Biosensors for Rapid Detection of Foodborne Pathogens
Supervisors:
Prof Dimitrios A. Lamprou, Queens University Belfast
Prof Clare Hoskins, University of StrathclydeProject Summary:
Foodborne pathogens remain a significant challenge for global food safety, requiring rapid,sensitive and deployable detection technologies. This PhD project will develop a sustainable microfluidic biosensor platform for the rapid detection of Salmonella and other foodborne
pathogens. The research will combine biodegradable polymer-based microfluidic devices with aptamer-functionalised gold nanoparticle biosensors to create a low-cost, portable and environmentally sustainable diagnostic technology suitable for food production, processing
and supply-chain monitoring. The project aligns with BBSRC priorities in sustainable agriculture, food safety and transformative biosensing technologies.
The student will work in a multidisciplinary environment across Pharmacy and Chemistry, gaining experience in microfluidics, biosensor development, nanotechnology, analytical chemistry, microbiology and sustainable materials science. Advanced manufacturing approaches, including 3D printing and computational fluid dynamics (CFD), will be used to design and optimise microfluidic systems. Training will include nanoparticle synthesis and characterisation, spectroscopy, microscopy, biomaterials analysis and pathogen detection studies.
The project will equip the student with highly transferable laboratory, computational and analytical skills that are in demand across academia, biotechnology, diagnostics,
pharmaceutical sciences and the food industry. Additional training in scientific communication, project management, teamwork, public engagement and research dissemination will prepare the student for diverse career pathways in both academic and industrial sectors.