CARClab Research

To form chronically stable interfaces with cancer we need bioelectronics made from better material systems.

Researchers in the CARClab are focused on developing new composite polymeric materials to enable improved long-term interfacing.

The bulk of this work is focused on the development of conjugated polymers (such as poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) also known as PEDOT) and their incorporation into functionalized structural polymers to improve electrical and biological functionality.

Understanding the signals associated with the beginning of cancer recurrence is critical to making bioelectronic devices to monitor cancer.

To address this, researchers in the CARClab are developing bespoke predictive in vitro models to model tumour recurrence in cancer.

Through in-house fabrication of these systems (in collaboration with the CREATE Lab at QMUL), we are able to coupling these biological models with high resolution biosensors to collect key information on cellular changes in the tumour microenvironment during cancer recurrence.

Using clinical standard equipment to develop new therapeutic and surgical strategies are key in translating research into clinical practice.

Research in the CARClab is focused on developing protocols that can work with current gold-standard clinical equipment to facilitate translation and enact real change.

We are currently working with neurosurgeons at the Royal London Hospital to investigate the use of multimodal electrical measurements to aid in tumour margin detection.

Although the focus of the CARClab is primarily on the development of bioelectronics for monitoring cancer, there is undoubtedly a need for development of local delivery in many medical conditions beyond cancer.

Currently, preliminary research is underway in the CARClab looking at developing electroactive polymer devices for sustained release of local anesthetics.