Group of Biological Physics

Research Interests

Our work has centred on studying molecular structure and dynamics at wet interfaces under conditions mimicking biological and biomedical applications. We are well established in applying leading physical techniques to access direct information at molecular and cellular levels from various biointerfacial processes. The highlight of our recent work has been to apply spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) and neutron reflection to reveal molecular features underlying surface biocompatibility, a topic highly relevant to tissue engineering, controlled local drug and gene delivery and medical implant deployment.

 

We often conduct these research activities in close collaboration with life scientists and medical experts. Within the Biological Physics Group, we place a strong emphasis to seek integrated approaches between theoreticians, computational experts and experimentalists.

 

Tissue Engineering         Study of interactions between biomaterials and vascular cells is highly relevant to the control of cell seeding and tissue growth. In this project, we emphasise the understanding of the mediation of representative ECM proteins on the attachment, spreading and growth of vascular cells. In parallel, the up and down regulations of key proteins excreted by cells are also monitored. Using well fabricated planar surfaces and polymeric films as model biomaterial, the different biointerfaces are interrogated by a combined approach of biochemical and biophysical techniques. The information so obtained is highly useful towards future model development and growth of 3D tissue constructs.

 

Controlled Local Gene Delivery        In collaboration with colleagues from Biocompatibles UK Ltd and the Manchester Medical School we exploit molecular interactions to the benefit of loading bioactive genes into biocompatible surfaces and thin films. We aim at developing the new technology towards the coating of vascular stents. Controlled local drug or gene release could help mediate the local biological environment leading to the healthy integration of the implants.

 

Fig. 1 shows how loading of a GFP labelled DNA strand varies with the charge density in biocompatible polymer matrix (along X-axis) and film thickness (along Y-axis).

                                                     

                   400 Å     

 

                 2000 Å      

 

                 4000 Å     

 

 

Biomaterials Development       We utilise our strong expertise in polymer and surfactant research to design short peptide sequences as biomaterials. There are some 20 natural amino acids that are polar (hydrophilic), non-polar (hydrophobic) and charged (positive and negative). They offer almost endless choices for novel peptide surfactant design and synthesis. Neutron reflection and small angle neutron scattering (SANS) are well suited for revealing the nano-structures of these peptides assembled at interfaces and their aggregates formed in bulk solution.

 

 

 

Fig. 2 Schematic of end (left) and side (right) views of a pair of 15-mer peptides forming α-helical configuration via the strong hydrophobic interdigitation of three tryptophans between them. The α-helical backbone is illustrated as a ribbon. W groups are labelled in green, Y in cyan, R in red, and K in blue. The α-helical structure was revealed at the silicon oxide/water interface  (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2004, 126, 8940).

 

Other research activities undertaken in the group can be via from the link here.

Autobiography

List of Publications

2005

1. Effect of surface packing density of interfacially adsorbed monoclonal antibody on the binding of hormonal antigen hCG, Xu, H.; Lu, J.R.; Williams, D.E., J. Phys. Chem. B., 2005, submitted.

2. Solution pH regulated interfacial adsorption of diblock phosphorylcholine copolymers, Zhao, X.; Zhang, Z.; Pan, P.; Ma, Y.; Armes, S.P.; Lewis, A.L.; Lu, J.R., Langmuir 2005, in press.

3. Substrate chemistry influences the morphology and biological function of adsorbed extracellular matrix assemblies, Sherratt, M.J.; Bax, D.V.; Chaudhry, S.S.; Hodson, N.; Lu, J.R.; Saravanapavan, P.; Kielty, C.M., Biomaterials 2005, in press (Ms. No. jbmt2607R1).

4. Adsorption of single chain zwitterionic phosphocholine surfactants: effects of length of alkyl chain and head group linker, Yaseen, M.; Lu, J.R.; Webster, J.R.P.; Penfold, J., Biophys. Chem. 2005, in press (Ms Ref. No.: BIOPHYSCHEM-D-05-00070).

5. Surface adsorption of zwitterionic surfactants n-alkyl phosphocholines characterised by surface tensiometry and neutron reflection, Yaseen, M.; Wang, Y.; Su, T.J.; Lu, J.R., J. Colloid Interface Sci. 2005, 288, 361-370.

6. Surface-induced unfolding of human lactoferrin, Lu, J.R.; Perumal, S.; Zhao, X.B.; Miano, F.; Enea, V.; Heenan, R.K.; Penfold, J., Langmuir 2005, 21, 3354-3361.

7. Characterization of petroporphyrins using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, Xu, H.; Que, G.H.; Yu, D.Y.; Lu, J.R., Energy Fuel 2005, 19, 517-524.

8. Adsorption of frog foam nest proteins at the air-water interface,
Cooper, A.; Kennedy, M.W.; Fleming, R.I.; Wilson, E.H.; Videlerm H.; Wokosin, D.L.; Su, T.J.; Green, R.J.; Lu, J.R., Biophys. J. 2005, 88, 2114-2125.

2004

9. Interfacial nano-structuring of designed peptides regulated by solution pH, Lu JR, Perumal, S.; Hopkinson, I.; Webster, J.R.P.; Penfold, J.; Hwang, W.; Zhang, S., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2004, 126, 8940-8947.

10. Complexation of DNA with biocompatible diblock copolymers, Mu, Q.S.; Ma, Y.H.; Lewis, A.L.; Armes, S.P.; Lu, J.R., Progr. Colloid Polym. Sci. 2004, 128, 199-202.

11. Neutron reflection, Chapter 13 in Biomaterials and Interfacial Processes, ed. P. Vadgama, Woodhead Publishing, London, 2004 (ca 30 printed pages).

12. Protein adsorption and interactions at interfaces, Chapter 14 in Neutron Scattering in Biology, ed. T. Gutberlet, Dekker, New York, 2004 (ca 30 printed pages).

13. The metrics of surface adsorbed small molecules on the Young's fringe dual-slab waveguide interferometer, Cross, G.H.; Reeves, A.; Brand, S.; Swann, M.J.; Peel, L.L.; Freeman, N.J.; Lu, J.R., J. Phys. D Appl. Phys. 2004, 37, 74-80.

14. Real time high resolution studies of protein adsorption and structure at the solid-liquid interface using dual polarization interferometry, Freeman, N.; Peel, L.L.; Swann, M.; Cross, G.H.; Reeves, A.; Brand, S.; Lu, J.R., J. Phys. Condens Matter 2004, 16, S2493-2496.

15. Lysozyme adsorption studies at the silica/water interface using dual polarization interferometry, Lu, J.R.; Swann, M.J.; Peel, L.L.; Freeman, N.J., Langmuir 2004, 20, 1827-1832.

16. Interfacial adsorption of fibrinogen and its inhibition by RGD peptide: a combined physical study, Armstrong, J.; Salacinski, H.; Mu, Q.; Seifalian, A.M.; Peel, L.; Freeman, N.; Holt, C.M.; Lu, J.R., J. Phys. Condens. Matter 2004, 16, S2483-S2491.

17. Surface chemistry influences the morphology of adsorbed extracellular matrix assemblies, Sherratt, M.J.; Saravanapavan, P.; Kielty, C.M.; Lu, J.R.,
Matrix Biol. 2004, 23, 412-412.

18. Incorporation DNA with diblock copolymers, Mu, Q.S.; Lu, J.R.; Lewis, A.; Armes, S.P., Abstract Papers ACS, 227, 31-POLY Part 2 MAR 28 2004.

19. The interaction of C₁₂E₅ with olive oil films studied by neutron reflection, Progr. Colloid Polym. Sci. 2004, 123, 164-168.

2003

20. Interfacial dissociation and unfolding of glucose oxidase, Lu, J.R.; Su, T.J.; Georganopoulou, D.; Williams, D.E., J. Phys. Chem. B 2003, 107, 3954-3962.

21. Adsorption of beta-hairpin peptides on the surface of water: a neutron reflection study, Lu, J.R.; Perumal, S.; Powers, E.T.; Kelly, J.W.; Webster, J.R.P.; Penfold, J., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2003, 125, 3751-3757.

22. Neutron reflection study of protein adsorption at the solid/solution interface, Chap. 23, p609-640, in Biopolymers at Interfaces, 2^nd Ed, Revised and Expanded, ed. Malmsten M., Dekker, New York, 2003.

23. Interfacial structure of phosphoryleholine incorporated blocompatible polymer films, Tang, Y.; Su, T.J.; Armstrong, J.; Lu, J.R.; Lewis, A.L.; Vick, T.A.; Stratford, P.W.; Heenan, R.K.; Penfold, J., Macromolecules 2003, 36, 8440-8448.

24. Adsorption of glucose oxidase at organic-aqueous and air-aqueous interfaces,
Georganopoulou, D.G.; Williams, D.E.; Pereira, C.M.; Silva, F.; Su, T.J.; Lu, J.R., Langmuir 2003, 19, 4977-4984.

2002

25. Structural effects on swelling of thin phosphorylcholine polymer films, Tang, Y.; Lu, J.R.; Lewis, A.L.; Vick, T.A.; Stratford, P.W., Macromolecules 2002, 35, 3955-3964.

26. NR studies of interactions between surfactants and proteins at interfaces, Lu, J.R., Annu. Rep. Prog. Chem. C 2002, 98, 3-32. 

27. The interaction between surfactants and proteins at interfaces, Lu, J.R., a chapter contributed to the book Biopolymers at Interfaces II, ed. M. Momstem, Dekker, New York, 2002.

28. Inhibition of toxicity in the beta-amyloid peptide beta(25-35) using N-methylated derivatives, Doig, A.; Hughes, E.; Burke, R.; Lu, J.R., Neurobiol. Ageing 2002, 23, s406.
 

29. Inhibition of toxicity and protofibril formation in the amyloid-beta peptide beta(25-35) using N-methylated derivatives, Doig, A.J.; Hughes, E.; Burke, R.M.; Lu, J.R., Biochem. Soc. T. 2002, 30, 537-542.

30. Structural effects on swelling of thin phosphorylcholine polymer films, Tang, Y.; Lu, J.R.; Lewis, A.L.; Vick, T.A.; Stratford, P.W., Macromolecules 2002, 35, 3955-3964.

2001

31. beta-Casein adsorption at the hydrophobized silicon oxide-aqueous solution interface and the effect of added electrolyte, Nylander, T.; Tiberg, F.; Su, T.J.; Lu, J.R.; Thomas, R.K., Biomacromolecules 2001, 2, 278-287.

32. Reduced protein adsorption on the surface of a chemically grafted phospholipid monolayer, Lu, J.R.; Murphy, E.F.; Su T.J.; Lewis, A.L.; Stratford, P.W.; Satija, S.K., Langmuir 2001, 17, 3382-3389.

33. Neutron reflection from a dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine monolayer adsorbed on a hydrophobised silicon support, Hollinshead, C.M.; Hanna, M.; Barlow, D.J.; De Biasi, V.; Bucknall, D.G.; Camilleri, P.; Hutt, A.J.; Lawrence, M.J.; Lu, J.R.; Su, T.J., BBA-Biomembranes 2001, 1511, 49-59.

34. The interaction between SDS and lysozyme at the hydrophilic solid-water interface, Green, R.J.; Su, T.J.; Lu, J.R.; Penfold, J., J. Phys. Chem. B 2001, 105, 1594-1602.

35. Swelling of zwitterionic polymer films characterized by spectroscopic ellipsometry, Tang, Y.; Lu, J.R.; Lewis, A.L.; Vick, T.A.; Stratford, P.W., Macromolecules 2001, 34, 8768-8776.

36. The displacement of preadsorbed protein with a cationic surfactant at the hydrophilic SiO₂-water interface, Green, R.J.; Su, T.J.; Lu, J.R.; Webster, J.R.P., J. Phys. Chem. B 2001, 105, 9331-9338.

37. Conformal roughness in the adsorbed lamellar phase of aerosol-OT at the air-water and liquid-solid interfaces, Li, Z.X.; Lu, J.R.; Thomas, R.K.; Weller, A.; Penfold, J.; Webster, J.R.P.; Sivia, D.S.; Rennie, A.R., Langmuir 2001, 17, 5858-5864.

38. Adsorption of ammonium perfluorooctanoate at the air-water interface, Lu, J.R.; Ottewill, R.H.; Rennie, A.R., Coll. Surf A 2001, 183, 15-26.

39. beta-casein adsorption at the silicon oxide-aqueous solution interface, Tiberg, F.; Nylander, T.; Su, T.J.; Lu, J.R.; Thomas, R.K., Biomacromolecules 2001, 2, 844-850.

40. In situ identification of the location of protein fouling on porous ceramic membranes, Lu, J.R., Abstract Papers ACS 2001, 221: 438-COLL Part 1.

2000

41. Interaction of lysozyme and sodium dodecyl sulphate at the air-water interface, Green, R.J.; Su, T.J.; Joy, H.; Lu, J.R., Langmuir 2000, 16, 5797-5805.

42. Adsorption of lysozyme onto the silicon oxide surface chemically grafted with a monolayer of pentadecyl-1-ol, Su, T.J.; Green, R.J.; Wang, Y.; Murphy, E.F.; Lu, J.R.; Ivkov, R.; Satija, S.K., Langmuir 2000, 16, 4999-5007.

43. Adsorption of proteins from aqueous solutions on hydrophobic surfaces studied by neutron reflection, Fragneto, G.; Su, T.J.; Lu, J.R.; Thomas, R.K.; Rennie, A.R., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 2000, 2, 5214-5221.

44. Competitive adsorption of lysozyme and C₁₂E₅ at the air/liquid interface, Green, R.J.; Su, T.J.; Lu, J.R.; Webster, J.; Penfold, J., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 2000, 2, 5222-5229.

45. pH-controlled adsorption of polyelectrolyte diblock copolymers at the solid/liquid interface, Styrkas, D.A.; Butun, V.; Lu, J.R.; Keddie, J.L.; Armes, S.P., Langmuir 2000, 16, 5980-5986.

46. Surfactant layers at the air-water interfaces: structure and composition, Lu, J.R.; Thomas, R.K.; Penfold, J., Adv. Colloid Interface Sci. 2000, 84, 143-304.

47. The application of neutron and x-ray specular reflection to proteins at interfaces, Lu, J.R.; Thomas, R.K., chap. 18, p609-650, in Physical Chemistry of Biological Interfaces, eds. Baszkin A. & Norde W., Dekker, New York, 2000.

48. Fouling of ceramic membranes by albumins under dynamic filtration conditions, Su, T.J.; Lu, J.R.; Cui, Z.F.; Thomas, R.K., J. Membrane Sci. 2000, 173, 167-178.

49. Covalent coupling of phospholipid monolayer on the surface of ceramic materials, Wang, Y.; Su, T.J.; Green, R.J.; Tang, Y.; Styrkas, D.; Danks, T.N.; Bolton, R.; Lu, J.R., Chem. Comm. 2000, 587-588.

50. Characterisation of protein adsorption at the phosphorylcholine incorporated polymer-water interface, Murphy, E.F.; Lu, J.R.; Brewer, J.; Russell, J., Macromolecules 2000, 33, 4545-4554.

51. The adsorption of pentaethylene glycol monododecyl ether at the solid poly(methyl methacrylate)-water interface: a spectroscopic ellipsometry study, Gilchrist, G.A.;  Lu, J.R.; Keddie, J.L.; Staples, E.; Garrett, P., Langmuir 2000, 16, 740-748.

52. The monolayer structure of the branched nonyl phenol oxyethylene glycols at the air-water interface, Green, S.R.; Su, T.J.; Lu, J.R., Penfold, J., J. Phys. Chem. B 2000, 104, 1507-1515.

1999

53. The reduced adsorption of proteins on the surface of phosphorylcholine incorporated polymer-water interfaces, Murphy, E.; Lu, J.R.; Brewer, J.; Russell, J.; Penfold, J., Langmuir 1999, 15, 1313-1322.

54. The adsorption of model proteins onto phosphorylcholine incorporated polymers studied by spectroscopic ellipsometry, Murphy, E.; Kiddie, J.L.; Lu, J.R.; Brewer, J.; Russell, J., Biomaterials 1999, 20, 1501-1511.

55. Adsorption of pentaethylene glycol monododecyl ether at the planar polymer-water interface studied by specular neutron reflection, Gilchrist, V.G.; Lu, J.R.; Staples, E.J.; Garrett, P.; Penfold, J., Langmuir 1999, 15, 250-258.

56. Effect of pH on the adsorption of bovine serum albumin at the silica-water interface studied by neutron reflection, Su, T.J.; Lu, J.R.; Thomas, R.K.; Cui, Z.F., J. Phys. Chem. B 1999, 103, 3727-3736.

57. Structural conformation of bovine serum albumin layers at the air-water interface studied by neutron reflection, Lu, J.R.; Su, T.J.; Thomas, R.K., J. Colloid Interface Sci. 1999, 213, 426-437.

58. The effect of solution pH on the structural conformation of lysozyme layers adsorbed on the surface of water, Lu, J.R.; Su, T.J.; Howlin, B., J. Phys. Chem. B 1999, 103, 5903-5909

59. Adsorption of serum albumins at the air-water interface, Lu, J.R.; Su, T.J.; Penfold, J., Langmuir 1999, 15, 6975-6983.

60. Identification of the location of protein fouling on ceramic membranes under dynamic filtration conditions, Su, T.J.; Lu, J.R.; Cui, Z.F.; Bellhouse, B.; Thomas, R.K.; Heenan, R.K., J. Membrane Sci. 1999, 163, 265-275.

61. Neutron reflection study of globular protein adsorption at planar interfaces, Lu, J.R., Annu. Rep. Prog. Chem. C 1999, 95, 3-45. 

62. Surfactant concentration and morphology at the surfaces of acrylic latex films, Tzitzinou, A.; Jenneson, P.M.; Clough, A.S.; Keddie, J.L.; Lu, J.R.; Zhdan, P; Treacher, K. E.; Satguru, R., Prog. Org. Coatings 1999, 35, 89-99.

63. Structure of self-assembled layers on silicon: Combined use of spectroscopic variable angle ellipsometry, neutron reflection and atomic force microscopy, Styrkas, D.A.; Keddie, J.L.; Lu, J.R.; Su, T.J.; Zhdan, P.A., J. Appl. Phys. 1999, 85, 1-8.

64. The structure and composition of ethyl hexadecanoate layers spread on aqueous solutions of hexaethylene glycol monododecyl ether, Lu, J.R.; Su, T.J.; Lawrence, M.J.; Barlow, D.J.; Warisnoicharoen, W.; Zuberi, T., J. Phys. Chem. B. 1999, 103, 4638-4648.

65. Interfacial compositions and phase structures in mixed surfactant microemulsions, Bumajdad, A; Eastoe, J.; Griffiths, P.; Steytler, D.C.; Heenan, R.K.; Lu, J.R.; Timmins, P., Langmuir 1999, 15, 5271-5278

66. Structure and composition of mixed surfactant micelles of sodium dodecyl sulphate and hexaethylene glycol monododecyl ether and of hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide and heexaethylene glycol monodecyl ether, Penfold, J.; Staples, E.; Thompson, L.; Tucker, I.; Hines, J.; Thomas, R.K.; Lu, J.R.; Warren, N., J. Phys. Chem. B. 1999, 103, 5204-5211.

1998

67. Neutron reflection from wet interfaces, Lu, J.R.; Thomas, R.K., J. Chem. Soc., Faraday Trans. 1998, 94, 995-1018 (feature article).

68. The structure of monododecyl pentaethylene glycol monolayers with and without added dodecane at the air/solution interface: a neutron reflection study, Lu, J.R.; Li, Z.X.; Thomas, R.K.; Binks, B.P.; Crichton, D.; Fletcher, P.D.I.; McNab, J.R., J. Phys. Chem. B 1998, 102, 5785-5793.

69. Neutron reflectivity studies of Aerosol-OT monolayers adsorbed at the oil/water, air/water and hydrophobic solid/water interfaces, Li, Z.X.; Lu, J.R.; Fragneto, G.; Thomas, R.K.; Binks, B.P.; Fletcher, P.D.I. Penfold, J., Coll. Surf. A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects 1998, 135, 277-281.

70. Structural conformation of lysozyme layers at the air-water interface studied by neutron reflection, Lu, J.R.; Su, T.J.; Thomas, R.K.; Penfold, J.; Webster, J., J. Chem. Soc., Faraday Trans. 1998, 94, 3279-3287.

71. The conformational structure of bovine serum albumin layers adsorbed at the silica-water interface, Su, T.J.; Lu, J.R.; Thomas, R.K.; Cui, Z.F.; Penfold, J., J. Phys. Chem. B 1998, 102, 8100-8108.

72. Application of small angle neutron scattering to the in situ study of protein fouling on ceramic membranes, Su, T.J.; Lu, J.R.; Cui, Z.F.; Thomas, R.K.; Heenan, R.K., Langmuir 1998, 14, 5517-5520.

73. The adsorption of lysozyme at the silica-water interface: a neutron reflection study, Su, T.J.; Lu, J.R.; Thomas, R.K.; Cui, Z.F.; Penfold, J., J. Colloid Interface Sci. 1998, 203, 419-429.

74. The effect of pH on the adsorption of lysozyme at the hydrophilic silicon oxide-water interface, a neutron reflection study, Su, T.J.; Lu, J.R.; Thomas, R.K.; Cui, Z.F.; Penfold, J., Langmuir 1998, 14, 438-445.

75. The denaturation of lysozyme layers adsorbed on the hydrophobed solid-water interface studied by neutron reflection, Lu, J.R.; Su, T.J.; Thomas, R.K.; Rennie, A.R.; Cubit, R., J. Colloid Interface Sci. 1998, 206, 212-223.

76. Binding of surfactants onto pre-adsorbed layers of bovine serum albumin at the silica-water interface, Lu, J.R.; Su, T.J.; Thomas, J., J. Phys. Chem. B 1998, 102, 10307-10315.

77. Binding of sodium dodecyl sulphate to bovine serum albumin layers adsorbed at the silica-water interface, Lu, J.R.; Su, T.J.; Thomas, R.K.; Penfold, J., Langmuir 1998, 14, 6261-6268.

78. Interaction between poly(ethylene oxide) and monovalent dodecyl sulphates studied by neutron reflection, Cooke, D.J.; Blondel, J.A.K.; Lu, J.R.; Thomas, R.K.; Wang, Y.L.; Han, B.X.; Yan, H.K.; Penfold, J., Langmuir 1998, 14, 1990-1995. 

79. Adsorption of sodium dodecyl sulphate at the surface of aqueous solutions of poly(vinylpyrrolidone) studied by neutron reflection, Purcell, I.P.; Lu, J.R.; Thomas, R.K.; Howe, A.M.; Penfold, J., Langmuir 1998, 14, 1637-1645.

80. Interaction between poly(ethylene oxide) and sodium dodecyl sulphate studied by neutron reflection, Cooke, D.J.; Dong, C.C.; Lu, J.R.; Thomas, R.K.; Simister, E.A.; Penfold, J., J. Phys. Chem. B 1998, 102, 4912-4917.

81. Interaction between poly(ethylene oxide) and dodecyl sulphates with different monovalent metal counterions studied by microcalorimetry, Wang, Y.L.; Han, B.X.; Yan, H.; Cooke, D.J.; Lu, J.R.; Thomas, R.K., Langmuir 1998, 14, 6054-6058.

82. Mixing in cationic surfactant films studied by small angle neutron scattering, Bumajdad, A.; Eastoe, J.; Heenan, R.K.; Lu, J.R.; Steytler, D.C.; Egelhaaf, S., J. Chem. Soc., Faraday Trans. 1998, 94, 2143-2150.