معرفی
Professor David Fernig is a Professor of Biological Chemistry at the University of Liverpool, affiliated with the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences and the Institute of Systems, Molecular & Integrative Biology. He holds a BSc and PhD, with research focused on growth factor signaling, heparan sulfate biology, and nanotechnology applications in medicine. His work bridges cell biology, glycobiology, and interdisciplinary collaborations.
Education: BSc (undergraduate) and PhD (postgraduate) in Biological Sciences from the University of Liverpool.
Research Interests: Regulation of cell fate by fibroblast growth factors (FGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF/SF), heparan sulfate proteoglycans, and their roles in cancer, development, and disease. His lab explores molecular interactions using nanotechnology tools like gold nanoparticles and advanced imaging techniques. Key areas include FGF signaling pathways, extracellular matrix dynamics, and drug development for conditions like acute pancreatitis and microbial keratitis.
Grants & Collaborations: Over 30 grants from funders like BBSRC, Fight for Sight, and EU Horizon 2020. Notable projects include enzymatic sulfation platforms for biotechnology, non-antibiotic antimicrobial agents, and Alzheimer’s intervention strategies via heparan sulfate. Collaborations span institutions like the University of Bordeaux, Hokkaido University, and A*STAR Singapore.
Teaching & Mentorship: Leads modules in synthetic biology, gene-cancer relationships, and research project supervision. Advises on theses involving FGF-pericellular matrix interactions, nanoparticle-based drug delivery, and glycobiology.
Labs & Teams: Director of the Fernig Lab, part of the Liverpool Centre for Nanoscale Science. Active in interdisciplinary networks like Proteoglycans NorthWest (PgsNoW) and the virtual Liverpool Centre for Nanoscale Science.
