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John Exton

Novel antimicrobial surfaces for use in healthcare environments.

Email: j.exton2@ncl.ac.uk

Project supervisors

Project description

A glial scar is a type of scar tissue formed during traumatic brain injury. Until recently, we thought that it acted as a mechanical barrier to neural repair due to high stiffness. But it is softer than the original brain tissue (unique amongst scar tissues) and this cannot be the case.

I am exploring whether disrupting this softening process could interrupt a mechanical signal that causes a positive-feedback loop in scar formation. If this is the case, it may be possible to interrupt scar formation by reversing this softening.

I am using atomic force microscopy, rheology and molecular biology techniques such as ELISA, immunohistochemistry and Western Blotting.

Interests

Woodworking, machining, 3D printing. Roleplaying games and cats.

Qualifications

BSc and MSc Biomedical science