The main area of interest is in the role of biotechnology in the detection of genetic damage, toxicity and anti-cancer activity. this work is directed at better understanding carcinogenesis and associated protective mechanisms while also providing the necessary biotechnology expertise to screen environmental samples, new industrial chemicals, nanoparticles and therapeutics for toxic and genotoxic potential. Current main studies are: Screening environmental samples and new drugs or chemicals for their potential to induce cell killing (toxicity) and genetic damage (genotoxicity). This involves culturing human cells in vitro and analysing populations of cells exposed to test agents for changes in cell growth, cell biochemistry, DNA sequence and chromosome morphology. Screening naturally occurring chemicals (eg plant extracts) for the potential to reduce the amount of genetic damage induced spontaneously and by UV-radiation and reactive oxygen species. Screening naturally occurring chemicals (eg marine extracts) as potential anti-cancer agents. The techniques used involve the growth of human cell lines to detect cell killing and growth alterations (MTT assay, WST-1 assay, limiting dilution cloning, Trypan blue monitoring, apoptosis/necrosis flow cytometry, cell cycle flow cytometry) and genetic damage induction (Micronucleus assay, HPRT mutation assay, Comet assay, PCR assays, DNA sequencing)

Almutary, A.G., Ellis, A.V. and Sanderson, B.J. (2016). Amorphous silica nanoparticles show concentration and time-dependent toxicity on Human HaCaT Cells. International Journal of Sciences & Applied Research, 3(5) pp. 38-45.