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Julian Jones

Face photo of Julian Jones
    • Biomaterials for regenerative medicine 
    • Bioactive glasses and nanocomposites 
    • 3D characterisation techniques of porous materials 
    • Process development of foamed gel-derived bioactive glass
Contact details:
Department of Materials
Tel: +44 (0)20 7594 6749
Ext: 46749
Fax: +44 (0)20 7594 6757
Email: julian.r.jonesimperial.ac.uk
Research interest

The Jones groups's research interests are highly multidisciplinary but revolve around the development of nanostructured bioactive porous scaffolds for tissue engineering, including macroporous and nanoporous bioactive glasses and novel nanocomposite materials. The cellular response to macro and nano structure is vitally important and materials characterization is a key area. At the atomic scale, cutting edge characterization techniques are employed, such as neutron diffraction and synchrotron source X-rays. At the nano scale, high resolution electron microscopy and tomography are emplyed and at the macro level, X-ray microtomography with the development of novel 3D characterisation techniques are used.

Other activities

Teaching 

Postgraduate Courses / Modules

  • Lecturer, Bioengieering MSc: Biomaterials Artificial Organs and Tissue Engineering

Undergraduate Courses / Modules

  • Lecturer, Biomaterials, Artificial Organs and Tissue Engineering
  • Lecturer, Corrosion of Glasses
  • Supervisor, 1st Year lab: Crystallisation of Polymers
Awards
Membership of Professional Bodies
Links with Other Academic Bodies

Member of technical committee 4, International Congress of Glass

Other Significant Activities

2nd International Ceramics Congress and Roadmap, Advisory board member

 

Biography

 

  • 2004 - Present:   Royal Academy of Engineering/ EPSRC Research Fellow  (Department of Materials, Imperial college, London)
  • 2002 - 2004: Lloyds Tercentenary Foundation Fellow (Department of Materials, Imperial college, London)
  • 1999 - 2002  Ph.D. ( Department of Materials, Imperial College London )
  • 1995 - 1999   MEng (2.1 Hons) Metallurgy and the Science of Materials  (University of Oxford) 
Julian Jones is a Royal Academy of Engineering and EPSRC Research Fellow. He was awarded the fellowship in 2004. Prior to this he held a two year Lloyds Tercentenary Foundation Fellowship, having completed his PhD here in the department in 2002. He joined the Department having obtained an MEng in Metallurgy and the Science of Materials from Oxford in 1999. His research interests are in biomaterials for regenerative medicine. His work on process development of foamed gel-derived bioactive glass (the first 3D porous scaffold made from bioactive glass) has produced scaffolds suitable for tissue engineering applications with hierarchical structures similar to that of trabecular bone.

His research group consists of 6 PhD students and a PDRA. The group's research interests involve the development of porous scaffolds for tissue engineering, novel 3D characterisation techniques of porous materials, the development of novel nanocomposite materials, the processing of glasses, bioactive materials, protein adsoption to nanotextured materials, cell responses to biomaterials and non-invasive cell-material interaction analysis techniques.

In 2007 he was awarded a prestigious Philip Leverhulme Prize for excellence in engineering and in 2004 he was awarded the Silver Medal by the Institute of Materials, Mining and Minerals (IOM3 ) for outstanding achievement in materials science by a younger researcher and the promotion of the subject on the international scale.

Publications

Journal Articles

  • "Bioactive glass scaffolds for bone regeneration";
    JR Jones, G Eilen, J Polak;
    ELEMENTS, 2007, Vol: 3, Pages: 393 - 399, ISSN: 1811-5209
  • "A neutron and X-ray diffraction study of bioglass with reverse Monte Carlo modelling";
    JR Jones, V FitzGerald, DM Pickup, D Greenspan;
    ADV FUNCT MATER, 2007, Vol: 17, Pages: 3746 - 3753, ISSN: 1616-301X
  • "In situ high-energy X-ray diffraction study of a bioactive calcium silicate foam immersed in simulated body fluid";
    V FitzGerald, KO Drake, JR Jones;J SYNCHROTRON RADIAT, 2007, Vol: 14, Pages: 492 - 499, ISSN: 0909-0495
  • "Fabricating sol-gel glass monoliths with controlled nanoporosity";
    M Ahmad, JR Jones, LL Hench;
    BIOMED MATER, 2007, Vol: 2, Pages: 6 - 10
  • "In vitro changes in the structure of a bioactive calcia-silica sol-gel glass explored using isotopic substitution in neutron diffraction";
    RJ Newport, LJ Skipper, V FitzGerald;
    J NON-CRYST SOLIDS, 2007, Vol: 353, Pages: 1854 - 1859, ISSN: 0022-3093
  • "Application of FTIR and Raman spectroscopy to characterisation of bioactive materials and living cells";
    I Notingher, JR Jones, S Verrier;
    SPECTROSC-INT J, 2003, Vol: 17, Pages: 275 - 288
  • "Supercritical carbon dioxide in water emulsion-templated synthesis of porous calcium alginate hydrogels";
    S Partap, I Rehman, JR Jones;
    Advanced Materials, 2006, Vol: 18, Pages: 501
  • "Analysis of pore interconnectivity in bioactive glass foams using X-ray microtomography";
    R.C. Atwood, J.R. Jones,P.D. Lee;
    Scripta Materialia, 2004, Vol: 51, Pages: 1029 - 1033, ISSN: 1359-6462
  • "Isothermal grain coarsening of spray formed alloys in the semi-solid state";
    E.D Manson-Whitton, I.C Stone, J.R Jones;
    Acta Materialia, 2002, Vol: 50, Pages: 2517 - 2535, ISSN: 1359-6454
  • "Observing cell response to biomaterials";
    J.R Jones;
    MATER TODAY, 2006, Vol: 9, Pages: 34 - 43
  • "Extracellular matrix formation and mineralization on a phosphate-free porous bioactive glass scaffold using primary human osteoblast (HOB) cells"; [PDF File]
    J.R. Jones, O. Tsigkou, E.E. Coates;
    Biomaterials, 2007, Vol: 28, Pages: 1653 - 1663, ISSN: 0142-9612
  • "Non-destructive quantitative 3D analysis for the optimisation of tissue scaffolds"; [PDF File]
    J.R. Jones, G. Poologasundarampillai, R.C Atwood;
    Biomaterials, 2007, Vol: 28, Pages: 1404 - 1413, ISSN: 0142-9612
  • "A forecast of the future for biomaterials"; [PDF File]
    J.R. Jones, A.R Boccaccini;
    J Mater Sci Mater Med, 2006, Vol: 17, Pages: 963 - 964, ISSN: 0957-4530
  • "Controlling ion release from bioactive glass foam scaffolds with antibacterial properties"; [PDF File]
    J.R. Jones, L.M. Ehrenfried, P. Saravanapavan;
    J Mater Sci Mater Med, 2006, Vol: 17, Pages: 989 - 996, ISSN: 0957-4530
  • "Optimising bioactive glass scaffolds for bone tissue engineering";
    J.R. Jones, L.M. Ehrenfried, L.L. Hench;
    Biomaterials, 2006, Vol: 27, Pages: 964 - 973, ISSN: 0142-9612
  • "Hierarchical porous materials for tissue engineering";
    J.R Jones, P.D Lee, L.L. Hench;
    PHILOS T ROY SOC A, 2006, Vol: 364, Pages: 263 - 281, ISSN: 1364-503X
  • "Preparation of bioactive glass-polyvinyl alcohol hybrid foams by the sol-gel method"; [PDF File]
    M.M. Pereira, J.R Jones, R.L Orefice, et al;
    J Mater Sci Mater Med, 2005, Vol: 16, Pages: 1045 - 1050, ISSN: 0957-4530
  • "Bioactive glass and hybrid scaffolds prepared by sol-gel method for bone tissue engineering";
    M.M. Pereira, J.R. Jones, L.L. Hench;
    ADV APPL CERAM, 2005, Vol: 104, Pages: 35 - 42, ISSN: 1743-6753
  • "Analysis of pore interconnectivity in bioactive glass foams using X-ray microtomography";
    R.C. Atwood, J.R Jones, P.D. Lee, et al;
    SCRIPTA MATER, 2004, Vol: 51, Pages: 1029 - 1033, ISSN: 1359-6462
  • "Nodule formation and mineralisation of human primary osteoblasts cultured on a porous bioactive glass scaffold";
    J.E. Gough, J.R. Jones, L.L. Hench;
    BIOMATERIALS, 2004, Vol: 25, Pages: 2039 - 2046, ISSN: 0142-9612
  • "Large-scale production of 3D bioactive glass macroporous scaffolds for tissue engineering";
    J.R. Jones, S. Ahir, L.L. Hench;
    J SOL-GEL SCI TECHN, 2004, Vol: 29, Pages: 179 - 188, ISSN: 0928-0707
  • "Factors affecting the structure and properties of bioactive foam scaffolds for tissue engineering"; [PDF File]
    J.R. Jones, L.L. Hench;
    J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater, 2004, Vol: 68, Pages: 36 - 44, ISSN: 1552-4973
  • "Binary CaO-SiO(2) gel-glasses for biomedical application"; [PDF File]
    P. Saravanapavan, J.R. Jones, S. Verrier, et al;
    Biomed Mater Eng, 2004, Vol: 14, Pages: 467 - 486, ISSN: 0959-2989
Books
  • Hench,L.L., Jones,J.R., Biomaterials, artificial organs and tissue engineering, Cambridge, Woodhead Publishing, 2005, ISBN: 1-8557-3737-X
Chapters in books
  • Jones,J.R., Hench,L.L., Biomaterials: bioceramics, In: Webster,J.G., editor, Encyclopedia of medical devices and instrumentation, Hoboken, Wiley, 2006, Pages: 283 - 296, ISBN: 0-4700-4066-1
  • Jones,J.R., Hench,L.L., Bioactive 3D scaffolds in regenerative medicine: the role of interface interactions, In: Vadgama,P., editor, Surfaces and interfaces of biomaterials, Cambridge, Woodhead, 2005, Pages: 545 - 572, ISBN: 0-8493-3446-2
  • Jones,J.R., Artificial organs, In: Hench,L.L., Jones,J.R., editor, Biomaterials, artificial organs and tissue engineering, Cambridge, Woodhead, 2005, Pages: 142 - 152, ISBN: 1-8557-3737-X
  • Hench,L.L., Jones,J.R., Clinical applications of tissue engineering, In: Hench,L.L., Jones,J.R., editor, Biomaterials, artificial organs and tissue engineering, Cambridge, Woodhead, 2005, Pages: 241 - 247, ISBN: 1-8557-3737-X
  • Jones,J.R., Boccaccini,A.R., Biomedical applications: tissue engineering, In: Scheffler,M., Colombo,P., editor, Cellular ceramics: structure, manufacturing, properties and applications, Weinheim, Wiley-VCH, John Wiley, 2005, Pages: 547 - 570, ISBN: 3-5273-1320-6
  • Jones,J.R., Scaffolds for tissue engineering, In: Hench,L.L., Jones,J.R., editor, Biomaterials, artificial organs and tissue engineering, Cambridge, Woodhead, 2005, Pages: 201 - 213, ISBN: 1-8557-3737-X
  • Jones,J.R., Hench,L.L., Biomedical materials, In: Bassani,G.F., Liedl,G.L., Wyder,Peter, editor, Encyclopedia of condensed matter physics, Oxford, Elsevier Academic Press, 2005, Pages: 108 - 115, ISBN: 0-1222-7610-8
  • Jones,J.R., Hench,L.L., Microporous materials, In: Wnek,G.E., Bowlin,G.L., editor, Encyclopedia of biomaterials and biomedical engineering, New York, Marcel Dekker Taylor & Francis, 2004, Pages: 1017 - 1025, ISBN: 0-8247-5562-6
  • Hench,L.L., Jones,J.R., Lenza,R.F.S., et al , Tissue engineering, In: Bonner,N., Polak,J.M., Yacoub,M., editor, Lung Transplantation, Cambridge University Press, 2003, Pages: 367 - 373, ISBN: 0-5216-5111-5
  • Hench,L.L., Jones,J.R., Sepulveda,P., Bioactive materials for tissue engineering scaffolds, In: Polak,J.M., Hench,L.L., Kemp,P., editor, Future Strategies for Tissue and Organ Replacement, London, Imperial College Press, 2002, Pages: 3 - 24, ISBN: 1-8609-4311-X
 Recent  Conference Contributions
  • Newport, RJ, Skipper, LJ, FitzGerald, V, et al , In vitro changes in the structure of a bioactive calcia-silica sol-gel glass explored using isotopic substitution in neutron diffraction, 10th International Conference on the Structure of Non-Crystalline Materials (NCM 10), 2007, Pages: 1854 - 1859
  • Jones, J R, Kemp, T F, Smith, M E, Effect of OH content on the bioactivity of sol-gel derived glass foam scaffolds, Bioceramics 18, In: Yamamuro, T Yamashita, K Neo, M, editor, Key Engineering Materials, Zurich, Swizerland, Trans Tech Publications, 2006, Pages: 1031 - 1034
  • Jones,J.R., Milroy,G.E., Cameron,R.E., et al , Using X-ray micro-CT imaging to monitor dissolution of macroporous bioactive glass scaffolds, 17th international symposium on ceramics in medicine, New Orleans, LA, 8 - 12 December 2004, In: Li,P., Zhang,K., Colwell,C.W., editor, Zurich-Uetikon, Trans Tech Publications Ltd, 2005, Pages: 493 - 496
  • Pereira,M.M., Nazhat,S.N., Jones,J.R., et al , Mechanical behavior of bioactive glass-polyvinyl alcohol hybrid foams obtained by the sol-gel process, 17th international symposium on ceramics in medicine, New Orleans, LA, 8 - 12 December 2004, In: Li,P., Zhang,K., Colwell,C.W., editor, Zurich-Uetikon, Trans Tech Publications Ltd, 2005, Pages: 757 - 760
  • Lohbauer,U., Jell,G., Saravanapavan,P., et al , Indirect cytotoxicity evaluation of silver doped bioglass Ag-S70C30 on human primary keratinocytes, 17th international symposium on ceramics in medicine, New Orleans, LA, 8 - 12 December 2004, In: Li,P., Zhang,K., Colwell,C.W., editor, Zurich-Uetikon, Trans Tech Publications Ltd, 2005, Pages: 431 - 434
  • Lohbauer,U., Jell,G., Saravanapavan,P., et al , Antimicrobial treatment of dental osseous defects with silver doped bioglass: Osteoblast cell response, 17th international symposium on ceramics in medicine, New Orleans, LA, 8 - 12 December 2004, In: Li,P., Zhang,K., Colwell,C.W., editor, Zurich-Uetikon, Trans Tech Publications Ltd, 2005, Pages: 435 - 438
  • Jones,J.R., Vats,A., Notingher,L., et al , In situ monitoring of chondrocyte response to bioactive scaffolds using Raman spectroscopy, 17th international symposium on ceramics in medicine, New Orleans, LA, 8 - 12 December 2004, In: Li,P., Zhang,K., Colwell,C.W., editor, Zurich-Uetikon, Trans Tech Publications Ltd, 2005, Pages: 623 - 626
  • Jones,J.R., Ehrenfried,L.M., Hench,L.L., Optimising the strength of macroporous bioactive glass scaffolds, 16th international symposium on ceramics in medicine (Bioceremics 16), Porto, Portugal, 6 - 9 November 2003, In: Barbosa,M.A., Monteiro,F.J., Correia,R., Leon,B., editor, Zurich-Uetikon, Trans Tech Publications, 2004, Pages: 981 - 984
  • Saravanapavan,P., Gough,J.E., Jones,J.R., et al , Antimicrobial macroporous gel-glasses: dissolution and cytotoxicity, 16th International Symposium on Ceramics in Medicine (BIOCERAMICS-16), 6 - 9 November 2003, Porto, PORTUGAL, In: Barbosa,M.A., Monteiro,F.J., Correia,R., Leon,B., editor, Key Engineering Materials, Zurich, Trans Tech Publications, 2004, Pages: 1087 - 1090
Other

Co-editor of Hench L. L. and Jones, J. R., (editors) “Biomaterials, Artificial Organs and Tissue Engineering”. Woodhead Publishing, published in September 2005:


The book designed to be used as a basis and an introduction for an undergraduate or postgraduate course. It is accompanied by a CD ROM containing powerpoint lectures and study questions that correspond to each of the 25 chapters in the book.

Research

The groups's research interests are highly multidisciplinary but revolve around the use of materials for regenerative medicine.

A main aim is the development of a material that fulfils the criteria for an ideal scaffold for tissue engineering applications. This involves materials processing, advanced materials characterisation and the investigation of cell responses to the materials in vitro. A highly porous material is required that mimics the structure and properties of bone and can stimulate new bone growth, i.e. be "bioactive".

Materials processing involves the development of porous bioactive glasses and inorganic/ organic hybrid nansoscale composites using the sol-gel process.
It is important to optimise the scaffolds from a macro to an atomic scale with respect to cell response. Novel techniques for of 3D pore networks are being developed with Professor Peter Lee's team, by applying computer algorithms to 3D x-ray microtomography images. Cell response work is carried in the dedicated cell culture labs in the Department of Materials and is headed by PDRA Dr Olga Tsigkou. Advanced cell biology and molecular biology is done by workng closely with Dr Stevens' team. Dr Jones has laboratories in the new Institute of Biomedical Engineering (South Kensington Campus) and also has close links with surgeons at St Mary's  Hospital (Imperial College Medical School).

Advanced materials characterisation uses gas sorption, porosimetry, x-ray microtomography (with Dr Peter Lee's team) and important collaborations with the Physics Departments at Warwick (ME Smith) and Kent (RJ Newport) Universities for atomic level characterisation using cutting edge techniques such as MAS-NMR, XANES, SAXS and neutron diffraction.

An X-ray microtomography image of a bioactive glass foam that can be used as temporary template (scaffold) for bone regeneration. Bioactive glasses can bond to bone and dissolve in the body over time, allowing bone to regenerate naturally. The scaffold has a hierarchical pore structure with an open pore network at the micron scale that allow blood vessels and bone to grow in 3D, and a tailored nanoporosity, the specification of which is vital to control cell attachment and protein adsorption. The green streak lines show the flow path of body fluid as predicted by models that use the 3D image of the pore network to calculate the resultant flow.