Tim Peace

My work is focused on using resistive pulse sensing via quartz capillary nanopores to quantify, characterise, and discriminate biomacromolecules. Some of the molecules I currently work with include DNA of varying topology, spherical nucleic acids (ProSNAs), proteoglycans and physiologically ubiquitous glycosaminoglycan, hyaluronic acid. However, the core of my research is the investigation of fibrils: α-synuclein and β2 microglobulin. The final goal is: (I) single-molecule manipulation, (II) use this same platform for single-cell nanoinjection via scanning conductance microscopy for cytotoxicity studies, thus elucidate the cellular and molecular level of the physio-pathogenesis of degenerative conditions like Parkinson’s disease, and (III) potential diagnostic tool by the interrogation of biofluids in the future.