PRESENT OCCUPATION

I was promoted to the position of Reader in Molecular Biotechnology in February 2002.  I am now developing the University’s interest in Bio-Nanotechnology and have expanded my own research into this emerging and exciting field.  I have been asked to develop a policy for Nanotechnology for the University and the recent award of two EC grants of ~€2 million each is an important first step toward implementing this policy.  Recently, this work has expanded into a more applied area of research and development with a focus on developing a nanoactuator as a generic biosensor within a commercial environment.  This has led to collaborations with industry (Cybersense Biosystems Limited and Farfield Sensors Limited) and funding to expand and promote this area of R&D.  My interests from this lie at the forefront of modern technology – the development of novel biosensors using biological molecular motors as nanoactuators.

The commercial aspects of my work have brought support from the University Research and Development Department in the form of funding for a CommercialiSE Fellowship Course, Proof of Concept funding from Finance SouthEast and we are now looking at how best to commercialise our research.

I currently teach at all levels of undergraduate and postgraduate study in the area of Genetic Engineering and Molecular Biology.  I am a major innovator in the area of using eLearning to support conventional teaching and view this as an important aspect of research-led teaching.

I am an active member of several committees from the University-level to Departmental-level.

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© University of Portsmouth
Author Dr Keith Firman,
Page last updated September 28, 2008