Dr Christopher O'Kane

Dr Christopher O'Kane outside, in front of a tall fence. He is smiling and has his arms crossed. For media enquiries please contact the Press Team
Deputy Head of School
Faculty:
Faculty of Science and Engineering
School:
Life Sciences
Location:
Cambridge
Areas of Expertise:
Microbiology , Molecular diagnostics , Molecular techniques
Research Supervision:
Yes

Chris is a HCPC registered biomedical scientist with experience in medical microbiology diagnostics. He has also conducted research projects involving DNA nanotechnology, cancer biology and pharmaceutical nanoscience.

[email protected]

Connect with Chris on LinkedIn

View Chris' ORCID profile

Background

Chris completed his undergraduate degree in Biomedical Sciences at Ulster University, achieving a first class honours degree. As part of his undergraduate course, he also undertook a co-terminus multidisciplinary placement within the biomedical laboratories of the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.

This gained Chris experience in the pathology disciplines of immunology, medical microbiology, cellular pathology and clinical biochemistry. For this, he was awarded a Diploma in Professional Practice (Pathology) with commendation and a certificate of competence from the IBMS and became a HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist. 

After spending some time working in the medical microbiology department of the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, Chris returned to Ulster University to complete his PhD within the Biomedical Sciences Research Institute (BMSRI). His PhD was on the rational design and assembly of non-canonical DNA structures, in particular, G-Wires formed from quadruplex DNA. This allowed him to develop his interest in nanotechnology and photonics towards the development of biomedical nanodevices. 

Chris then took on a postdoctoral research position at Ulster focusing on nanoscience techniques for cancer therapeutics before joining Anglia Ruskin University in September 2016. He is a member of the Biomedical Research Group.

Research interests
  • Development of Novel Therapeutics for Antimicrobial Resistance
  • Nanotechnology towards Development of Theranostic Devices
Teaching

Module Leader, Continuing Professional Development Level 4

BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science

Module Leader for:

  • Diagnostic Techniques in Pathology

Contributes to:

  • Mathematics for the Bioscience
  • Core Biology
  • Preparation for Research

Undergraduate Project Supervisor

MSc Applied Bioscience

Masters Project Supervisor

Qualifications
  • PG Cert in Learning and Teaching (Higher Education) - Anglia Ruskin University (2017)
  • PhD in DNA Nanotechnology - Ulster University (2016)
  • 2nd Diploma in CPD (Continued Professional Development) - IBMS (2016)
  • 1st Diploma in CPD - IBMS (2013)
  • BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science - Ulster University (2012)
  • Diploma in Professional Practice (Pathology) - Ulster University (2012)
  • Certificate of Competence - IBMS (2012)
Memberships, editorial boards
  • Fellow of the Institute of Biomedical Science (FIBMS)
  • Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
  • Member of the Royal Society of Biology (MRSB)
  • Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry (MRSC)
  • Member of the Institute of Physics (MInstP)
Research grants, consultancy, knowledge exchange
  • IBMS Albert Norman Trust Fund - £500 - (2018)
  • Biochemical Society Diversity in Science Grant - £550 - (2018)
  • Wellcome Trust Vacation Studentship - £2000 - (2018)
  • RIDO Undergraduate Taster Placement Fund - Anglia Ruskin University - £2000 - (2018)
  • Wellcome Trust Vacation Studentship - £2000 - (2017)
  • RIDO Undergraduate Taster Placement Fund - Anglia Ruskin University - £2000 - (2017)
  • Vice Chancellor Research Studentship - Ulster University - (2012-2015)
  • All Ireland Schools of Pharmacy Conference Presentation Prize (2015)
Selected recent publications

Rodrigues, J. G. C., Nair, H. P., O'Kane, C. and Walker, C. A. (2021) 'Prevalence of multidrug resistance in Pseudomonas spp. isolated from wild bird feces in an urban aquatic environment', Ecology and Evolution, 11(20), pp. 14303-14311. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.8146

Sheng, Y., Beguin, E., Nesbitt, H., Kamila, S., Owen, J., Barnsley, L. C., Callan, B., O'Kane, C., Nomikou, N., Hamoudi, R. and Taylor, M. A. (2017) 'Magnetically responsive microbubbles as delivery vehicles for targeted sonodynamic and antimetabolite therapy of pancreatic cancer', Journal of Controlled Release, 262, pp. 192-200. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconrel.2017.07.040

Karsisiotis, A. I., O’Kane, C. and da Silva, M. W. (2013) 'DNA quadruplex folding formalism–A tutorial on quadruplex topologies', Methods, 64(1), pp. 28-35. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ymeth.2013.06.004

Recent presentations and conferences

EMBO Lecture Course - Functional nucleic acids: Recent landscapes and therapeutic applications. Faridabad, India 2022 - Accepted abstract. Poster presentation: 'Role of G-Quadruplexes in AdeABC Efflux Pump Antibiotic Resistance Activity'.

MAHSA International Medical Technology Conference 2021 (Mi-MED 2021). Virtual, 2021 - Invited guest speaker. Oral presentation: 'Rational Design and Assembly of DNA Nanostructures towards Biomedical Applications'.

The Antibiotic Discovery Accelerator Network (ABX) summer 2019 meeting. Cornwall, 2019 - Invited speaker. Oral presentation: 'DNA Quadruplexes as Targets for Antimicrobial Gene Regulation'.