Molly Stevens

Bionanomaterials for regenerative medicine and sensing
Bone and Cartilage Tissue Engineering
Bioresponsive peptide functionalised inorganic nanoparticles
Peptide Synthesis and Purification
Cell culture facilities
Live cell micro-Raman Spectroscopy

Contact details:

Room 208, Royal School of Mines building

Tel: +44 (0)20 7594 6804

Fax: +44 (0)20 7594 6757

Email: m.stevens

imperial.ac.uk

Web: www.imperial.ac.uk/people/m.stevens

Research Interests

Molly Stevens is currently Reader in Regenerative Medicine and Nanotechnology and the Research Director for Biomedical Material Sciences in the Institute of Biomedical Engineering. She joined Imperial in 2004 after spending several years as a Postdoctoral Associate working in the field of tissue engineering with Professor Robert Langer in the Chemical Engineering Department at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Prior to this she graduated from Bath University with a first class honours degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences and was then awarded a PhD in biophysical investigations of specific biomolecular interactions and single biomolecule mechanics from the Laboratory of Biophysics and Surface Analysis at the University of Nottingham (2000). In 2007 she was awarded the prestigious Conference Science Medal from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and in 2005 the Philip Leverhulme Prize for Engineering. She has also recently been recognised by the TR100, a compilation of the top innovators, under the age of 35, who are transforming technology - and the world with their work. Her previous awards include the Ronald Belcher Memorial Lecture Award from the Royal Society of Chemistry (2000) and both the Janssen Prize and the UpJohn Prize for academic excellence and research.

Prof Stevens' group is extremely multidisciplinary and currently consists of 14 students and 9 postdocs/fellows. Our research interests span from the design and development of new materials for biosensing and regenerative medicine to medical implants and drug delivery. The vibrant field of tissue engineering for example combines aspects of materials science, cell biology, medicine and engineering. The aims are the functional regeneration of diseased or damaged tissue to greatly improve patient quality of life and longevity. Research in regenerative medicine within the group includes the directed differentiation of stem cells, the design of novel bioactive scaffolds and new approaches towards tissue regeneration. We have developed novel approaches to tissue engineering that are likely to prove very powerful in the engineering of large quantities of human mature bone for autologous transplantation as well as other vital organs such as liver and pancreas, which have proven elusive with other approaches. This has led to moves to commercialise the technology and set-up a clinical trial for bone regeneration in humans. In the field of nanotechnology the group has current research efforts in exploiting specific biomolecular recognition and self-assembly mechanisms to create new dynamic nano-materials, biosensors and drug delivery systems. Dr Stevens is the co-founder of BioCeramic Therapeutics.

Awards

Tissue and Cell Engineering Society Young Investigator Award, Tissue and Cell Engineering Society (TCES), 2007
Science Medal, Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, 2006
Philip Leverhulme Prize, Leverhulme Trust, 2005
TR100 (Top 100 Young Innovators), Technology Review, 2004
Ronald Belcher Memorial Lecture Award, Royal Society of Chemistry, 2000
Upjohn Award, Upjohn Pharmaceuticals, 1996
Janssen Prize, University of Bath, 1995

Membership of Professional Bodies

Member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, MRPharmS
Member of the Institute of Materials, IOM
Member of the Academy of Pharmaceutical Scientists, APSGB
Royal Society of Chemistry, Member
United Kingdom Society for Biomaterials (UKSB), Council Member
Materials Research Society, Member
London Technology Network, Advisory Board Member

Other Significant Activities

European Editor, Journal of Experimental Nanoscience
Advisory Board Member, Journal of Regenerative Medicine
Advisory Board Member, Biomedical Materials: Materials for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine

Biography

2004 -present : Reader and Research Director for Biomedical Materials (Department of Materials and Institute for Biomedical Engineering , Imperial college, London)
2001- 2004 Postdoctoral Fellow, (with Bob Langer) MIT
1997 - 2000 Ph.D. (University of Nottingham )
1995 BPharm First class honours Pharmaceutical Sciences (University of Bath)

Recent News/Press Releases

December 2007. Dr Molly Stevens awarded highly competitive £1.3 million ERC Young Investigator grant.
September 2007. Dr Molly Stevens wins Tissue and Cell Engineering Society Young Investigator Award.
July 2007. Dr Molly Stevens wins Science Medal from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society for her work in regenerative medicine, nanotechnology and tissue transplantation.
February 2007. BioCeramic Therapeutics Ltd, a spin-out company from Imperial College and co-founded by Dr Molly Stevens and Professor Robert Hill, receives its first financing round. This funding will enable the company to press forward with its plans to develop a range of products (bioceramics and nanostructured scaffolds) designed to help patients suffering from musculoskeletal conditions.
July 2006. Dr Molly Stevens has won one of six national new EPSRC 'Challenging Engineering' awards worth about one million pounds each. The awards are aimed at identifying and supporting future international leaders in engineering.
November 2005. Dr Stevens' interview on the Science Show with Robyn Williams.
November 2005.Young researcher wins sought-after prize to pursue research.Imperial Press Release and The Leverhulme Trust.
July 2005. Transplant surgery revolutionised as scientists grow bone tissue inside body. [Article in Science and The Independent newspaper and New Zealand Herald and Newswise and Exploration]. Radio interviews on 5 Live, BBC, Capital FM.
October 2004. CNN film and air a special report on the research ongoing in the Stevens group. [Explorers: special report on how technology, science and invention are shaping your world].
23 September 2004. Nanotechnology news in brief. [Link]
20 September 2004. Molly Stevens has been named in the list of 100 top young innovators (TR100 2004) compiled by Technology Review magazine. Imperial press release and TR100 website.
1 August 2004. Bone repair may use PUs: orthopaedic uses of biodegradable medical PU investigated.(polyurethanes)(PolyNovo Biomaterials Pty Ltd. join forces with Imperial College of London). [Link].
18 February 2004. Bionic cat that inspired a £1 million programme. [Imperial press release]
*** Postdoctoral positions available in Peptide-functionalised Nanoparticles for Biosensing and in Novel Polymer-Peptide Nanofibres to Influence Cell Differentiation. For PhD positions in Tissue Engineering and Nanomaterials/Bio-Nanotechnology for Oct 2008 - projects are tailored to the individuals interests and skills, please contact m.stevensimperial.ac.uk for details.***

Journal Articles

Verdejo, R, Jell, G, Safinia, L, et al , Reactive polyurethane carbon nanotube foams and their interactions with osteoblasts, J Biomed Mater Res A, 2008, ISSN: 1552-4965 [Link]
Lipski, AM, jaquiery, C, Choi, H, et al , Nanoscale engineering of biomaterial surfaces, ADVANCED MATERIALS, 2007, Vol: 19, Pages: 553 - +
George, JH, Shaffer, MS, Stevens, MM, Investigating the cellular response to nanofibrous materials by use of a multi-walled carbon nanotube model, J EXP NANOSCI, 2006, Vol: 1, Pages: 1 - 12
Jell, G, Notingher, I, Tsigkou, O, et al , Bioactive glass-induced osteoblast differentiation: A noninvasive spectroscopic study., J Biomed Mater Res A, 2007, ISSN: 1549-3296 [Link]
Swain, RJ, Stevens, MM, Raman microspectroscopy for non-invasive biochemical analysis of single cells., Biochem Soc Trans, 2007, Vol: 35, Pages: 544 - 549, ISSN: 0300-5127 [Link]
Laromaine, A, Koh, LL, Murugesan, M, et al , Protease-triggered dispersion of nanoparticle assemblies, J AM CHEM SOC, 2007, Vol: 129, Pages: 4156 - +, ISSN: 0002-7863
Tsigkou, O, Hench, LL, Boccaccini, AR, et al , Enhanced differentiation and mineralization of human fetal osteoblasts on PDLLA containing Bioglass composite films in the absence of osteogenic supplements., J Biomed Mater Res A, 2007, Vol: 80, Pages: 837 - 851, ISSN: 1549-3296 [Link]
Jones, JR, Tsigkou, O, Coates, EE, et al , Extracellular matrix formation and mineralization on a phosphate-free porous bioactive glass scaffold using primary human osteoblast (HOB) cells., Biomaterials, 2007, Vol: 28, Pages: 1653 - 1663, ISSN: 0142-9612 [Link]
Mwenifumbo, S, Shaffer, MS, Stevens, MM, Exploring cellular behaviour with multi-walled carbon nanotube constructs, J MATER CHEM, 2007, Vol: 17, Pages: 1894 - 1902, ISSN: 0959-9428
Bonzani, IC, Adhikari, R, Houshyar, S, et al , Synthesis of two-component injectable polyurethanes for bone tissue engineering., Biomaterials, 2007, Vol: 28, Pages: 423 - 433, ISSN: 0142-9612 [Link]
Bonzani, IC, George, JH, Stevens, MM, Novel materials for bone and cartilage regeneration., Curr Opin Chem Biol, 2006, Vol: 10, Pages: 568 - 575, ISSN: 1367-5931 [Link]
Jell, G, Stevens, MM, Gene activation by bioactive glasses., J Mater Sci Mater Med, 2006, Vol: 17, Pages: 997 - 1002, ISSN: 0957-4530 [Link]
Mart, RJ, Osborne, RD, Stevens, MM, et al , Peptide-based stimuli-responsive biomaterials, SOFT MATTER, 2006, Vol: 2, Pages: 822 - 835, ISSN: 1744-683X
Hahn, MS, Teply, BA, Stevens, MM, et al , Collagen composite hydrogels for vocal fold lamina propria restoration, BIOMATERIALS, 2006, Vol: 27, Pages: 1104 - 1109, ISSN: 0142-9612
Owen, CA, Selvakumaran, J, Notingher, I, et al , In vitro toxicology evaluation of pharmaceuticals using Raman micro-spectroscopy., J Cell Biochem, 2006, Vol: 99, Pages: 178 - 186, ISSN: 0730-2312 [Link]
Stevens,M.M., Mayer,M., Anderson,D.G., et al , Direct patterning of mammalian cells onto porous tissue engineering substrates using agarose stamps, Biomaterials, 2005, Vol: 26, Pages: 7636 - 7641, ISSN: 0142-9612
Stevens, MM, George, JH, Exploring and engineering the cell surface interface., Science, 2005, Vol: 310, Pages: 1135 - 1138, ISSN: 1095-9203 [Link]
Stevens, MM, Marini, RP, Schaefer, D, et al , In vivo engineering of organs: The bone bioreactor, P NATL ACAD SCI USA, 2005, Vol: 102, Pages: 11450 - 11455, ISSN: 0027-8424
Notingher, L, Jell, G, Notingher, PL, et al , Multivariate analysis of Raman spectra for in vitro non-invasive studies of living cells, J MOL STRUCT, 2005, Vol: 744, Pages: 179 - 185, ISSN: 0022-2860
Stevens, MM, Allen, S, Davies, MC, et al , Molecular level investigations of the inter- and intramolecular interactions of pH-responsive artificial triblock proteins, BIOMACROMOLECULES, 2005, Vol: 6, Pages: 1266 - 1271, ISSN: 1525-7797
Stevens, MM, Marini, RP, Martin, I, et al , FGF-2 enhances TGF-beta 1-induced periosteal chondrogenesis, J ORTHOPAED RES, 2004, Vol: 22, Pages: 1114 - 1119, ISSN: 0736-0266
Stevens, MM, Allen, S, Sakata, JK, et al , pH-Dependent behavior of surface-immobilized artificial leucine zipper proteins, LANGMUIR, 2004, Vol: 20, Pages: 7747 - 7752, ISSN: 0743-7463
Marini, RR, Stevens, MM, Langer, R, et al , Hydraulic elevation of the periosteum: A novel technique for periosteal harvest, J INVEST SURG, 2004, Vol: 17, Pages: 229 - 233, ISSN: 0894-1939
Stevens, MM, Flynn, NT, Wang, C, et al , Coiled-coil peptide-based assembly of gold nanoparticles, ADV MATER, 2004, Vol: 16, Pages: 915 - 918, ISSN: 0935-9648
Xu, XJ, Sy, JC, Stevens, MM, et al , Surface eroding polyesters derived from poly(alpha-hydroxy acids)., ABSTR PAP AM CHEM S, 2004, Vol: 227, Pages: U558 - U558
Stevens, MM, Qanadilo, HF, Langer, R,
Stevens, MM, Allen, S, Davies, MC, et al , The development, characterization, and demonstration of a versatile immobilization strategy for biomolecular force measurements, LANGMUIR, 2002, Vol: 18, Pages: 6659 - 6665, ISSN: 0743-7463

Chapters in books

Stevens,M.M., Burdick,J.A., Biomedical hydrogels, In: Hench,L.L., Jones,J.R., editor, Biomaterials, artificial organs and tissue engineering, Boca Raton, Woodhead Publishing Limited, 2005, Pages: 107 - 115, ISBN: 0-8493-2577-3
Prasad,V.P., Stevens,M.M., Polymer foams, In: Wnek,G., editor, Encyclopedia of biomaterials and biomedical engineering, New York, Dekker, 2005, Pages: 1274 - 1278, ISBN: 0-8247-5562-6

Conference Contributions

Swain, RJ, Stevens, MM, Raman microspectroscopy for non-invasive biochemical analysis of single cells, Cojnference on Bionanotechnology - From Self-Assembly to Cell Biology, 2007, Pages: 544 - 549
Bonzani, IC, Knight, MM, Lee, DA, et al , A model for studying the influence of mechanical loading on human periosteal stem cells, Conference of the Tissue-Engineering-and-Regenerative-Medicine-International-Society (TERMIS-EU), 2007, Pages: 1636 - 1636
Sy,J., Xu,X., Lipski,A.M., et al , Degradation behavior of novel poly(alpha-hydroxy acid)-derived polyesters, 2004, Pages: 199 - 206, ISBN: 0272-9172
Stevens,M.M., Langer,R.S., Marini,R.P., et al , Enhancement of periosteum derived chondrogenesis in vitro: Implications for cartilage tissue engineering, 49th annual meeting; Orthopaedic Research Society, New Orleans, LA, ORS, 2003, Pages: 964 - 964, ISBN: 0149-6433
Stevens,M.M., Qanadilo,H.F., Langer,R., et al , Ionically crosslinked alginate hydrogels as scaffolds for periosteum-derived chondrogenesis, British pharmaceutical conference, Manchester, Pharmaceutical press, 2002, Pages: 187 - 187, ISBN: 0022-3573