Professor Duncan Graham has built up a well-funded research group of more than 30 to investigate molecular nanometrology. He's secured 11 patents to date and co-founded spin-out molecular diagnostics company D3 Technologies Ltd (now Renishaw Diagnostics).
"I came to Strathclyde on a three-month Postdoctoral fellowship in 1996. One research project led to another and it's continued to work out since then. The science has worked and my applications for funding have been accepted.
When I began my academic career my intention was to find a gap in the scientific landscape that hadn’t been filled and then wade on into it. It's a philosophy that still motivates me today.
It's really difficult to find something different to do and make it yours. Not only are the options narrowing but it requires a fair amount of thought. Still, it's the advice I give to new starts in the research team.
At the interface of chemistry, biology and physics
The Centre for Molecular Nanometrology was founded with Professor of Physics David Birch in 2005. We investigate the measurement of molecules on a nanoscale using novel physical techniques and chemical manipulation.
This new field of measurement science is still in its infancy but is widely seen as crucial to bridging the molecular measurement gap needed for the next level of nanoscale innovation.
The Centre is a collaborative venture between the Departments of Pure and Applied Chemistry and Physics. It's also part of WestCHEM – a joint research school which brings together the chemistry research schools of Glasgow and Strathclyde universities to create an active, growing and diverse research environment.
Research impact
The focal point of much of my research is the exploitation of surface enhanced resonance Raman scattering (SERRS) for bioanalysis. The sensitivity of Raman spectroscopy is greatly increased when the spectroscopic target molecules are bound to the surface of metallic (silver or gold) nanoparticles, allowing detection of individual molecules.
My colleagues and I have developed chemical techniques to attach DNA to the metal surfaces of nanoparticles. The ability to use DNA chemistry to detect proteins opens up possibilities for targeting a vast range of biomedically significant molecules and medical conditions. Other work is focused on bonding molecules, such as antibodies, directly to the nanoparticles, opening up many more possibilities for sensor technologies. From this research activity one start-up company (D3 Technologies Ltd, now Renishaw Diagnostics) has been founded, we have patented technology, regularly collaborate with others and run industry-funded projects."
