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Dr Darren Campbell

Phone number
0121 204 3404

Email
campbeld@aston.ac.uk

Room number
CEAC 317

Profile
Darren Campbell graduated in 2003 with a Class II(i) BSc (Hons) in Applied Chemistry from Aston University. He studied for a PhD from 2003-2007 under the supervision of Professor B.J.Tighe in the Biomaterials Research Unit (BRU), Aston University. He completed his thesis (Tear and Skin Phospholipids; Analysis and Hydrogel Analogues) in 2008 while working with Professor Tighe on a collaborative project between BRU and Johnson and Johnson Vision Care (entitled Synthesis of Novel Linear Hydrogel Polymers). Prior to 1998 Darren worked in the metal finishing industry.

He is currently working on an EPSRC Follow-on Grant entitled the Development of Injectable Biomimetic Tissue Repair Systems. This is a multi-University collaborative project aspects of which involve the refinement of two-pack initiator system injectable biomimetic tissue repair systems, extension of the platform technology to other fields of application and to take the original concept towards clinical trials and commercial exploitation.

Research interests
  • polymeric biomaterials
  • biocompatible (co)polymers
  • biomimetic (co)polymers
  • hydrogel (co)polymers
  • prepolymers (macromers)
  • polymer/biofilm interactions
  • the tear film
Darren’s research interests include the synthesis, characterisation and behaviour (in-vitro, in-vivo and ex-vivo) of novel biocompatible and biomimetic (co)polymers. Of particular interest are prepolymers (macromers) and hydrogels (co)polymers. Applications of interest for these polymers include ophthalmic, tissue repair/replacement and drug delivery.

The in-vitro, in-vivo and ex-vivo interaction of biological species (particularly lipids) with these and other hydrogels is important for biomaterials and is also a research interest. This is in line with the theme of the Biomaterials Research Group (BRU) where the research is interdisciplinary and involves interaction with relevant Universities and industrial companies. Darren’s thesis, Tear and Skin Phospholipids; Analysis and Hydrogel Analogues, and his general involvement in BRU have led to an interest in the chemistry of tear film, especially the phospholipids found in the lipid layer.

Qualifications & Education

  • PhD, Tear and Skin Phospholipids;Analysis and Hydrogel Analogues, Aston University, 2007
  • BSc (Hons) Applied Chemistry, Class II(i), Aston University, 2003

Employment 

  • October 2008 - present
    Research Associate, Injectable Biomimetic Tissue Repair Systems Project, Biomaterials Research Unit, Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, Aston University
  • October 2007 - September 2008
    Research Associate, Synthesis of Novel Linear Hydrogel Polymers Project, Biomaterials Research Unit, Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, Aston University
  • October 2003 - September 2007
    PhD Research Student, Tear and Skin Phospholipids; Analysis and Hydrogel Analogues, Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, Aston University, (Supervisor: Professor B.J.Tighe)
  • August 2003 - September 2003
    Research Assistant, Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, Aston University, Biomaterials Research Unit, Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, Aston University
  • October 1998 - August 2003
    BSc Hons, Applied Chemistry (Class 2.1), Aston University
  • October 1988 - August 1998
    Metal Finisher, Plater and Anodiser, Firmin and Sons, New Town, Birmingham

Teaching activity

  • Demonstration of laboratory classes
  • Supervision of projects including final year Chemistry, MEng and MSc students

Membership of Professional Bodies

  • British Contact Lens Association (BCLA)
  • British Mass Spectrometry Society (BMSS)

Selected publications

Zwitterionic and Charge-balanced Polyampholyte Copolymer Hydrogels,  Campbell D and Tighe B.J, Advanced Materials Research, 2008, Vol 55-57, 729-732

The effect of care solutions on the bulk and surface properties of soft contact lenses, Campbell D, Mann A, Ross G, Hunt O and Tighe B.J, Contact Lens and Anterior Eye, 2008, 31, 256

Tear and Skin Phospholipids; Analysis and Hydrogel Analogues, PhD thesis, 2007, Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, Aston University, (Supervisor, Professor B.J.Tighe)

Contact lens users: hand washing and dermal lipids, Campbell D, Hunt O, and Tighe B.J, Contact Lens and Anterior Eye, 2007, 30, 293

Properties of SPDA: A biomimetic building block, Campbell D, Tighe B.J, Contact Lens and Anterior Eye, 2006, 29, 203

Compositional dynamics of phospholipids in the tear film, Campbell D, Griffiths G, Tighe B.J, Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica, 2006, 84, Supplement 239, 86

The Nature and Fate of Lipids in Contact Lens Wear, Mann A, Campbell D, Griffiths G, Tighe B.J, Ophthalmic Research Journal for Research in Experimental and Clinical Ophthalmology, 2005, Volume 37, Supplement 1, 26, Poster 235

The Application of Capillary Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry Techniques to the Study of patient to patient variations in Tear Chemistry, Mann A.M, Campbell D, Tighe B.J, Ophthalmic Research Journal for Research in Experimental and Clinical Ophthalmology, 2004, Volume 36, Supplement 1, 34, Poster 165