This projects aims at developing novel techniques to generate laser light pulses (mode-locking) in the short-wave infrared (SWIR) spectral region. This is motivated by the need of reliable and tuneable sources operating at these wavelengths for various applications especially focussing on medical diagnostics and surgery, and including imaging, sensing and communications. We plan to overcome limitation of existing pulsed laser sources emitting around 2 micron wavelength by developing ultrafast fibre lasers based on Thulium gain medium which produce pulses in a self-starting way, with easily controllable properties (such as repetition rate and central frequency), and using a robust architecture suitable for out-of-the-lab applications. This project will combine the expertise of the PI (Dr. Perego from Aston Institute of Photonic Technologies, Aston University) in numerical modelling and design of novel techniques for light pulses generation, with the experimental expertise of the Partner (Dr. Maria Chernysheva from Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technologies, Jena, Germany) in fibre lasers operating in the SWIR spectral region.

MIBTP students undertake a period of training during their first year. This includes compulsory taught modules in statistics, programming, data analysis, AI and mini research projects.

The political context in which disasters occur is an under-developed area of research. This is despite natural hazards posing significant political challenges by inflaming grievances, increasing resource scarcity, negatively impacting on livelihoods, and increasing criminality. As changes in local climate amplify the regularity and severity of disaster events, this research project asks: how does regime type influence the impact of disasters caused by natural hazards? And what potential disaster risk reduction strategies can be identified to facilitate and strengthen future disaster governance? This project seeks to determine the political barriers to disaster risk reduction (DRR) in Southeast Asia, with the aim of improving regional and international disaster aid dispersal across political contexts. Using Southeast Asia as a test case study, the project will develop an original dataset that maps national disaster impact across Southeast Asia according to regime type. Results in the form of a dataset, codebook and briefing paper will be disseminated to disaster relief organisation practitioners to be used as an analytical tool to guide future disaster responses and to improve the efficacy of disaster risk reduction across multiple political contexts in Southeast Asia. Eleven countries will form the basis of analysis across a thirty-year timeframe. There are two objectives: Objective One: To conduct qualitative and quantitative analysis to ascertain (a) the number, severity and impact of all disasters originated by natural hazards across Southeast Asian cases from 1991-2021, (b) the regime type, utilising existing Worldwide Governance Indicators (World Bank), Democracy Status Indicators (Freedom House) and Political Regime Characteristics (Polity IV) indicators, and (c) the regional (ASEAN), national (state agency) and sub-national (civil society and local government) disaster responses. A regression analysis will assess the relationship between regime type and disasters impact across the eleven Southeast Asian cases between 1991-2021. Objective Two: To (a) process and evaluate the dataset established under objective one and (b) compile findings for dissemination to beneficiaries in the form of three academic articles, a policy brief, infographics, two training and networking workshops and two academic conferences. The dataset and codebook will be shared on a custom-built website. There is no existing dataset that examines the relationship between disasters impact and regime type. This new dataset will be used as an analytical tool to help inform disaster relief organisations of the political context in which they operate, the types of DRR and response strategies utilised in the past, those that will be most effective per country, and predicted responses to future disasters irrespective of changes in political context. Early engagement with beneficiaries has identified two user-related needs that the project will deliver on: 1. to enhance knowledge of context-specific restrictions impacting on the ability of disaster relief organisations and their community-based partners to perform their role in DRR and response effectively. 2. to generate a quantitative dataset that can be used by organisations as evidence when lobbying state policymakers for organisational funding and resource acquisition. The dataset will be disseminated to international and UK-based disaster relief organisations working in DRR. Outputs will supplement data and knowledge gaps to improve context-specific disaster responses and aid dispersal, support state and private funding initiatives, and influence policymaking. This will support the capacity of these organisations to work with local communities and government authorities to improve in-country DRR capacity and resilience. The project will engage with these stakeholders at all stages of the research process to achieve maximum impact.

Cell based therapies using Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs) are an exciting therapeutic option, using our own cells to both dampen inflammation and promote repair of damaged tissues. Large numbers of MSCs are required for effective therapeutic applications, requiring expansion in the laboratory. This can result in loss of their important immuno-modulatory and repair functions due to spontaneous differentiation. This project will build on current knowledge to manufacture new microcarriers which can be optimized to provide both adhesive signals, and 'tuneable' elasticity to provide MSCs with the optimal growth surface conditions. Additionally, this project investigates key soluble factors released by MSCs in the reactor, such as extracellular vesicles containing bioactive molecules. Such factors are known to possess immunomodulatory properties and can provide a dual approach to therapy when combined with MSCs. This 'tuneable' new microcarrier system will incorporate slow-release crystals allowing direct delivery of growth factors than can modulate MSC function. Importantly, these carriers will be degradable, allowing for easy collection of expanded cells for further testing. This allows for efficient, standardised, and scalable expansion of MSCs for use in therapy or scientific research.

The ABC (ATP Binding Cassette) transporter superfamily is found in all organisms from bacteria to humans, and they utilise energy from ATP hydrolysis to power the transport of molecules across a membrane. The human transporters are involved in a wide range of functions including protection from toxins, metabolism, controlling drug distribution in the body, mediating inflammatory responses and transporting lipids. Several members are responsible for genetic diseases, such as cystic fibrosis and adrenoleukodystrophy, whilst others are involved in causing multi-drug resistance during cancer treatment. It is well established that the function of many membrane proteins is affected by their lipid bilayer environment. Specific lipids may interact directly with a transporter and modulate function, or simply affect the general properties (thickness, fluidity) of the bilayer. The aim of this project is to investigate this protein:lipid relationship in detail for two model ABC transporter proteins, firstly a bacterial transporter, Atm1, and secondly the human transporter MRP4/ABCC4 (multidrug resistance protein 4). Atm1 can be easily expressed in E.coli, extracted and purified using styrene maleic acid polymer (SMA) to form SMA lipid particles (SMALPs). We have previously demonstrated Atm1 can be reconstituted from SMALPs into liposomes. In this project Atm1 will be reconstituted into liposomes of defined lipid composition/properties and the affect on protein function monitored. This will be combined with structural studies using electron microscopy. MRP4 can be expressed in either Sf9 insect cells or Freestyle HEK mammalian cells. The effects of these different expression systems on protein yield and function will be measured, and SMA polymer will be used to extract and purify MRP4 from each expression system to enable analysis of the co-extracted lipids by mass spectrometry.