Research

With the advent of systematic gene sequencing and the rapid mapping of the human genome, there are new opportunities for chemists in the now post-genome period to provide the interface between the physical and life sciences. My research interests lie in gaining a better understanding (and thus their resulting applications) of the surface chemistry of alkylthiol self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). Surface chemical structure plays a crucial role in determining the performance of organic materials in many applications. These applications include array technologies, the development of novel biomaterials and the adhesion/friction of materials.

Alkyl thiol self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on noble metal surfaces (especially gold) have attracted a great deal of worldwide interest in recent years (fig 1). The potential of SAM systems makes them materials for the future. For an organic material, SAMs provide unprecedented levels of control over the structure of a surface. Careful selection of the alkyl chain length, head group and terminal group will enable a specific type of surface to be engineered for a particular purpose. The ability of gold to be resistant to air oxidation, the high packing density of a SAM, the affinity of sulfur for gold and the ability to select an adsorbate with polar and apolar terminal groups, make alkylthiol SAMs a class of materials with unequalled potential for gaining a better understanding of organic surface chemistry on interfacial interactions. Recent work has involved using a scanning force microscope with tips functionalised with carboxylic acid and methyl terminated SAMs. This technique is called chemical force microscopy (CFM see fig 2).

Teaching

Brief Biography:

BSc Chemistry with Analytical Chemistry from Leeds University

Masters in Petrochemicals and Hydrocarbon Chemistry from Manchester University

PhD in Physical Chemistry from Manchester University

Lecturer at Bradford College in Chemistry, Physics and Maths.

Awards and Affiliations

Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry

Modules

1st Year

BI10001 SPELS 1

BI11001 Biomolecular Mechanisms

BI12005 Genes, Heredity + Development

CH11003 Molecular Science 1A

CH12006 Molecular Science 1B.

2nd Year

BI22014 Cellular and Molecular Biology

CH21010 Biomolecular Chemistry: Shape and Function

CH22013 Biomolecular Chemistry: Theory + Application

EV22002 Mechanisms and Measurements

3rd Year

CH32043 Analytical and Prognostic Chemistry

4th Year

Unit 4C15 Intellectual Property and Scientific Publishing

Chemistry has a large role to play in the life sciences. As the central science, chemistry inevitably appears in many life science degree programmes at many levels. I lecture to undergraduates at all levels, special attention is given to undergraduates in the first and second years of their degree because this is when the basics must be understood. The challenge here at Dundee is to ensure that all life science undergraduates, whatever degree they are undertaking, are proficient enough in chemistry that they are able to cope with any ‘indirect’ chemistry that will appear as part of their degree in later years. Together with colleagues, we have rejuvenated the practical side of chemistry with relevant and intriguing laboratory practicals.

We have a variety of teaching tools at our disposal, especially VLE using blackboard coupled with question mark perception (QMP). The advantages of using QMP as part of teaching are many and varied. One good example is feedback. Studies have shown that students need instaneous feedback or else what they have learned is quickly forgotten. QMP can deliver instaneous feedback and also allow us to monitor an individual students progress. If a student appears to be having problems, we can note it straightaway and act accordingly.

Impact

I run two activities on Saturday mornings as part of the Royal Society of Edinburgh Science Masterclass.