Bolognesi Lab
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27.21.2025
PhD Project on the new CDT Engineering Solutions for Antimicrobial Resistance (Start Date Oct 2026)
A fully-funded PhD Projects is available in our group at University College London – Department of Chemistry.
The project is funded by the new EPSRC-BBSRC Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Engineering Solutions for Antimicrobial Resistance.
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Project Title: Next-Generation Lateral Flow Assays for Rapid Detection of Respiratory Tract Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance
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Primary Supervisor: Dr Guido Bolognesi
Secondary Supervisor: Prof Nguyen T.K. Thanh
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Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are a leading cause of antibiotic prescriptions globally and a major contributor to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In the absence of rapid diagnostics, empirical antibiotic use is common, exacerbating resistance. This project aims to develop a next-generation lateral flow assay (LFA) platform for rapid, ultrasensitive detection of RTI pathogens and AMR markers. By integrating plasmonic signal amplification using gold nanostars with a power-free electrokinetic focusing mechanism, the device will enable early-stage detection without the need for external instrumentation. This dual amplification strategy offers a transformative approach to point-of-care diagnostics, with potential to improve antimicrobial stewardship and patient outcomes in community healthcare settings.
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​​If you are interested, contact us to discuss your application. ​Detailed description of the project can be found here.​
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To apply, follow the instructions on the CDT website at this link.
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Virtual Open Days on Zoom on: 15th December 2025 at 10 am, 16th January 2026 at 3 pm.
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To register for the Open Day event, visit this webpage.
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The application deadline is set for mid-night UK time on January 12th, 2026.
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Project Start date is October 2026.
12.09.2025
The group attends ECIS 2026
Our group had a great time at the 39th European Colloid and Interface Society (ECIS) and UK Colloids conference in Bristol on 7-12 September. It was great to listen to many inspiring talks, catch up with colleagues and meet new ones. The group deliverd two talks (Guido and Christina) and one poster presentation (Henry).
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It was really a lovely week of science; working hard... and partying hard too!
31.07.2025
Yameng joins the group as visiting researcher
Yameng is a visiting post-doc from Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China Faculty, School of Chinese Materia Medica, sponsored by a Chinese Government Scholarship. Her research interests lie on separation of biological particles in microfluidic devices via electrokinetics.
01.06.2025
Henry awarded the IOP Research Student Conference Fund
Henry has been awarded the IOP Research Student Conference Fund (RSCF) to support his participation in the 39th ECIS / UK Colloids 2025 conference, scheduled for the 7-12 September in Bristol. He will give a poster presentation on "Diffusiophoretic Accumulation of Gold Nanoparticles in Paper Based Membranes as a Step Towards Enhancing Sensitivity of Lateral Flow Assay Devices". The RSCF grant is offered by the Institute of Physics to PhD students wishing to attend a conference or major scientific event.
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01.06.2025
Christina awarded the IOP Research Student Conference Fund
Christina has been awarded the IOP Research Student Conference Fund (RSCF) to support her participation in the 39th ECIS / UK Colloids 2025 conference, scheduled for the 7-12 September in Bristol. She will give an oral presentation on "Diffusiophoresis and diffusioosmosis-driven dynamics of
polystyrene colloids in long double-junction microchannels". The RSCF grant is offered by the Institute of Physics to PhD students wishing to attend a conference or major scientific event.
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08.01.2025
Guido joins the ACS Langmuir Early Career Advisory Board
On January 2025, Guido has been nominated member of the Early Career Advisory Board of Langmuir. The Early Career Advisory Board meets annually. The Editor-in-Chief updates regularly the Editorial Boards members with journal metrics and initiatives that are taking place with the journal, as well as discusses calls for papers and new Collections and Special Issues (SI) that may be of interest to the scientific community in the field.
01.01.2025
PhD Project on the new CDT Engineering Solutions for Antimicrobial Resistance (Start Date Oct 2025)
A fully-funded PhD Projects is available in our group at University College London – Department of Chemistry.
The project is funded by the new EPSRC-BBSRC Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Engineering Solutions for Antimicrobial Resistance.
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Project Title: Developing nucleic acid amplification methods and electrokinetic lateral flow technology
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Primary Supervisor: Dr Guido Bolognesi
Secondary Supervisor: Dr Micheal Booth
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This project aims to develop a novel lateral flow assay (LFA) device for urinary tract infection (UTI) diagnostics in primary care settings that combines the rapid, point-of-care analysis of dipsticks with the accuracy and breadth of diagnostic information provided by traditional, time-consuming laboratory techniques. To deliver this technological breakthrough, a novel enzyme-free DNA amplification strategy will be combined with a power-free electrokinetic amplification strategy in a LFA testing format.
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​​If you are interested, contact us to discuss your application. ​Detailed description of the project can be found here.​
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To apply, follow the instructions on the CDT website at this link.
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Virtual Open Days on Zoom on: Wednesday 18th December 2024 at 11 am, Tuesday 14th January 2025 at 3 pm.
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To register for the Open Day event, click here.
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The application deadline is set for mid-night UK time on January 26th, 2025.
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Project Start date is October 2025.
