Welcome to the Downes Group website.
Our Group, based at the University of Manchester, is working on novel Biomaterials for use in Regenerative Medicine. Biomaterials are used in the body to repair, augment or replace damaged tissues. Historically, metals, polymers, ceramics and natural materials have been used with success in clinical practice and it is our aim to develop new materials and devices to restore tissue function in situations where the body is unable to repair itself.
The challenges we face are to understand the complex processes involved in biological repair, in conjunction with the influence that implanted biomaterials has on these processes. Our approach is to develop novel polymer scaffolds that are synthetic, bioactive and biodegradable. We control the surfaces of biomaterials interfaces with nanostructures that provide topographical or chemical cues for cell adhesion, proliferation and differentiation.
The ability to control material surfaces in the nano-scale opens up exciting new possibilities for novel materials in tissue engineering and restorative medicine. We aim to commerialise our research and translate innovative ideas into the clinic for the benefit of patients.