30 Apr 2019

PhD Opportunity: Forensic DNA Recovery and Amplification from Metal Surfaces

The interaction of DNA with metal surfaces is likely to be complex with the composition of the metal surface with alloy composition, surface oxidation state and texture all being contributing factors to how the DNA is bound to the material surface. It is well known that DNA can be an efficient chelator of metal ions as evidenced by the requirement for increased magnesium ion concentrations in PCR reaction which contain higher amounts of DNA than usual. This metal chelating ability may be a contributor to the poor yield of PCR product obtained from samples recovered from metal surfaces since many of the met...

23 Apr 2019

PhD Opportunity: Optical nano-biosensors to detect opioids and fentanyl-related substances

Opioid use is currently on the increase and its abuse poses serious risks that affects the economic state of all societies worldwide as well as health and social wellbeing. It is estimated that opioids affect 26.4 to 36 million people worldwide where 25% of users are unable to be treated with existing medical therapies. Prescription opioids include semi-synthetic and natural opioids such as morphine, codeine, and synthetic opioids such as tramadol, methadone and fentanyl. Many of the synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl and derivatives, are produced and distributed illegally. With an increased availability ...

9 Apr 2019

PhD Opportunity: Interdisciplinary Approach to Identifying the Transfer and Persistence of Fibres Encountered in Forensic Science

Clothing is an integral part of our life, serving a variety of purposes. The most obvious function is to protect an individual from the elements but clothes can also be to reflect the social and the cultural function of the wearer. The constant demand of our society for new fashion designs and to improve comfort encourages the production of new fabrics. To meet this demand new textile merchandises are constantly being produced and shipped all over the world. The manufacturing of new textiles is sophisticated; globally heterogeneous and constantly evolving. Some of this complexity is driven by the need...