Research: Surface-microbial interactions

About our research

From an applied industrial perspective, our research covers the characterization of antimicrobial, anti-adhesive and biomimetic surfaces. This includes understanding the effect of organic fouling on surface hygiene and on bacterial fouling, in addition to developing novel fit-for-purpose efficacy testing methodology.

Microbial retention and transmission of the surface can result in a variety of issues including:

• the transmission of food spoilage and pathogenic bacteria in the food industry
• healthcare-associated infections in care homes and hospitals
• contamination of biomaterials
• the development of biofilms in water systems and fouling of downstream products in industry

Surface testing

With the rise in antimicrobial resistance, the number of products available to treat infections is shrinking and a number of bacteria are also becoming resistant to biocides.

The design of novel antiadhesive and antimicrobial surfaces will provide a way in which to reduce such fouling, transmission, contamination and infection issues. In order to assure these benefits, it is important that such materials are tested appropriately for their intended application.

We have the unique multidisciplinary skills and technical abilities (experimental and theoretical) to unravel the interactions of properties at the surface interface, in order to produce and test such surfaces.

We have over 20 years of research experience in this niche area. This has resulted in an international reputation for our unique ability to carry out highly multidisciplinary and complex work that has an applied aspect.

Our approach enables us to understand different research disciplines and apply them to the application or process to be investigated - resulting in research outputs that are truly multidisciplinary.