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Wayne Nishio Ayre  FHEA BEng (Hons) PhD

Dr Wayne Nishio Ayre

(he/him)

FHEA BEng (Hons) PhD

Senior Lecturer in Biomaterials

School of Dentistry

Email
AyreWN@cardiff.ac.uk
Telephone
+44 29225 10660
Campuses
University Dental Hospital, Room 5F.06 Postgraduate Research Office, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XY
Users
Available for postgraduate supervision

Overview

My ambition is to become an established academic in the field of biomaterials, by delivering high impact research and teaching excellence. I am the lead for the Biomaterials Research Group at the School of Dentistry, Cardiff University and director of the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine MSc programme. My research interests include: the design, development and testing of medical devices and biomaterials; adopting an inter-disciplinary approach to research through academic and industrial scientific collaborations; understanding and improving drug delivery and antimicrobial aspects of biomaterials; and understanding and enhancing the interactions between medical devices, tissues and cells.  My particular areas of interest revolve around using lipid coatings and delivery systems to enhance osseointegration and prevent infections of orthopaedic and dental materials.

Expertise

  • Drug delivery from biomaterials
  • Liposomal delivery systems
  • Orthopaedic and dental implant coatings and topographies
  • Prince2 Agile Project Management: Foundation and Practitioner 

Publication

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2010

Articles

Book sections

Conferences

Thesis

Research

Research funding

2023 - Cardiff University Research Infrastructure Fund “ExoView R200 – Next-generation characterization and analysis of extracellular vesicles and nanoparticles.  £107,249. May 2023. Co-applicant. 

2023 - EPSRC Core Equipment Call "EPSRC Equipment Call 2022 - Cardiff University ". £757,080. January 2023. Co-applicant. 

2023 – EPSRC DTP Studentship "Novel antimicrobial and regenerative laser-textured bulk metallic glass implant surfaces". £81,924. October 2023. Principal applicant.  

2022 – Sêr Cymru programme – Enhancing Competitiveness Equipment Award. "Circular Hybrid Manufacturing (CHM) of sustainable powders for powder-bed-fusion additive manufacturing (AM) processes via recycling of machining scraps". £54,136. January 2023. Co-applicant.

2022 - Cardiff University Research Infrastructure Fund “A metal binder jetting additive manufacturing machine”.  £350,400. May 2022. Co-applicant

2022 BBSRC Develop basic technologies in sensing and imaging. "Development of a nanoscale, near-infrared spectroscopy imaging tool for in situ, rapid and label-free analysis of single extracellular vesicles". £226,242. April 2023. Principal applicant.

2021 – Cardiff University Research Infrastructure Fund “Spectroscopy of interfaces”.  £455,000.  April 2022.  Co-applicant

2021 – EPSRC Strategic Equipment. "Photo induced Force Microscopy (PiFM): Nanoscale Topography and Vibrational Spectroscopy". £1,013,903. April 2022. Co-applicant.

2021 – Cardiff University Research Infrastructure Fund “Durability and Characterisation Laboratory”.  £383,000.  September 2021.  Co-applicant

2021 – GlaxoSmithKline. "Comparative evaluation of toothpaste/brushing efficacy in a relevant model system". £29,788. July 2021. Co-Applicant

2020 – EPSRC New Investigator Award. “Exploiting bacterial virulence to trigger antimicrobial release from orthopaedic implants”.  £264,217.  April 2021.  Principal applicant.

2019 – EPSRC ECR Institutional Equipment. “Contact angle goniometer and quartz crystal microbalance”.  £48,000.  January 2019.  Principal applicant.

2018 – Versus Arthritis PhD Studentship. “A novel antibacterial titanium implant technology for total joint arthroplasty”.  £111,085.  January 2019.  Co-applicant.

2018 – Wellcome Trust ISSF3 – “Novel antimicrobial and osteogenic laser-sintered implant surfaces using ultra short-pulsed laser ablated micro/nano-topographies”. £49,933. April 2018. Principal applicant.

2017 – MRC Confidence in Concept- “Robust and facile lipid coating to enhance lubrication and reduce biofilm formation on urinary catheters”. £62,427.  August 2017.  Principal applicant.

2017 – Cardiff University Research Infrastructure Fund “Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) system”.  £179,000.  April 2017.  Co-applicant

2016 – NHS R&D Equipment bid “3D Printer”.  £8,000 February 2016.  Principal applicant.

2016 – Life Sciences Bridging Fund “Optimisation and toxicity testing of the liposomal drug delivery system for orthopaedic bone cement”.  £71,114. January 2017.  Principal applicant.

2016 – Wellcome Trust ISSF “Enhancing wear properties of CRF-PEEK and UHMWPE acetabular cups using a novel lipid bilayer surface functionalization.” £23,067 July 2016.  Principal applicant.

2016 – NHS R&D Equipment bid “Rotary evaporator”.  £5,738 February 2017.  Principal applicant.

2015 Dunhill Medical Trust – “Preventing aseptic loosening of cemented joint replacements in older adults: delivery of osteogenic molecules from PMMA bone cement to encourage bone repair and implant osseointegration”. £86,104 February 2015 – August 2016.  Co-applicant.

2015 – NIHR i4i – “Fluorophosphonate biofunctionalisation of biomaterials for orthopaedic applications”.  £372,480 September 2015 – August 2017. Co-applicant.

2015 – MRC Proximity to Discover Scheme – “Novel biomimetic, antimicrobial and bioactive dentine scaffolds for vital pulp therapies”.  £20,000 October 2015 – December 2015. Principal applicant.

2014 – Renishaw PhD Studentship – “Bacterial adhesion and inhibition at dental implant and abutment surfaces”.  £50,000 October 2015 – 2018. Co-applicant.

2014 – Life Sciences Research Network Wales Research Project – “Delivery of osteogenic molecules from acrylic bone cement to encourage regenerative bone repair around cemented joint replacements”. £49,929 February 2015 – 2016. Principal applicant.

2014 – SARTRE Health Technology Challenge Scheme – “Liposomal antimicrobial delivery system for PMMA bone cement”.  £19,635 July – September 2014. Principal applicant.

Patents

  • Denyer S, Evans S, Ayre W.  Liposomal drug delivery system for bone cements.  International Patent number: WO 2015004450 A1.

Access to facilities

  • Mechanical and fatigue testing (Lloyd LR10K, LRX, LFPlus, Mitutoyo MVK-G1 hardness tester)
  • Rheology (Bohlin C-VOR200, Cole-Parmer rotational viscometer)
  • Profilometry (Mitutoyo Surftest SV-2000, Taicaan XYRIS)
  • Colorimetry (Konica Minolta CM-700d, Dr Lange Micro Color II)
  • Contact angle (Cahn DCA-312, Attension Theta Lite)
  • Quartz Crystal Microbalance (MicroVacuum QCM-I)
  • Liposome formulation (Buchi Rotavapor R-300, Lipex Extruder)
  • Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (Rheometric Scientific DMTA Mk III)
  • 3D printing (Asiga Pico 2, Motionview iPrint 3D)
  • FTIR (Nicolet 380 FT-IR)
  • Sample cutting (Logitech AXL1 Annular Saw, South Bay 650)
  • qRT-PCR (QuantStudio 6)
  • Scanning electron microscopy (Tescan VEGA SEM-XRMA)
  • Confocal microscopy (Leica TCS SP5)
  • Microbiology
  • Tissue culture
  • Histology
  • MicroCT (Bruker Skyscan 1272 - MSKBRF, School of Engineering)

Teaching

Undergraduate teaching

Dental Surgery (BDS), Dental Therapy and Dental Hygiene (BSc) - Year 2 Dental Materials

  • Topic lead for Dental Biomaterials
  • Deliver lectures on biocompatibility, material properties, polymers and metallurgy.
  • Lead on composite and dental material practical sessions.
  • Setting/assessing Primary BDS, Intermediate BDS and Final BDS examinations.
  • Setting/assessing Year 2 posters, oral presentations and extended essays
  • Academic and personal tutor.

Dental Surgery (BDS) - Year 4/5 Final Year Projects

  • Supervision of laboratory-based projects.
  • Assessing final year project reports.

Postgraduate teaching

Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (MSc)

  • Director of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine MSc.
  • Supervision of MSc student projects.
  • Assessing MSc project dissertations and oral/poster presentations.

Oral Biology (MSc)

  • Deliver lectures on cell and matrix biology, biomechanical forces and response of tissues to biomaterials.
  • Setting/assessing oral presentations, extended essays and exam questions.
  • Supervision of MSc student projects.

PhD Students

  • Supervision of PhD students across the Schools of Dentistry, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Engineering.

Qualifications

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)

Biography

Career overview

  • September 2021 - Present: Senior Lecturer in Biomaterials – Cardiff School of Dentistry.
  • September 2016 – August 2021: Lecturer in Biomaterials – Cardiff School of Dentistry.
  • November 2014 – September 2016: Research fellow – Cardiff School of Dentistry, Tissue Engineering & Reparative Dentistry.  Life Sciences Research Network Wales: Delivery of osteogenic molecules from acrylic bone cement to encourage regenerative bone repair around cemented joint replacements.
  • September 2014 – November 2014: Research associate – Cardiff School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.  SATRTE Bio-E Pilot Project: Phosphonate-tethered lysophosphatidic acid-functionalised titanium: a novel surface finish for bone regenerative applications.
  • June 2014 – August 2014: Research associate – Cardiff School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.  SATRTE Health Technology Challenge Pilot Project: Liposomal antimicrobial delivery system for PMMA bone cement
  • December 2013 – May 2014: Research associate – Cardiff School of Dentistry, Tissue Engineering & Reparative Dentistry.  Dunhill Medical Trust: Preventing dental pain, abscess and tooth loss in older adults: development of antimicrobial restorative materials to manage dental disease in older adults
  • September 2013 – November 2013: Research assistant – Cardiff School of Engineering, Institute of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering.  Clean Sky/EU Commission: Developing, manufacturing and testing composite materials for aerospace applications.

Education and qualification

  • 2009 – 2013: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Mechanical Engineering, Cardiff University/Arthritis Research UK Biomechanics and Bioengineering Centre. Inter-disciplinary research project between the schools of Engineering and Pharmacy, developing and testing novel formulations of PMMA bone cements to enhance mechanical, drug delivery and osseointegrative properties.
  • 2006 – 2009: Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng. First Class Hons) in Medical Engineering, School of Engineering, Cardiff University

Honours and awards

  • 2017 - Welsh Crucible - Future Research Leaders of Wales Programme
  • 2016 – British Orthopaedic Research Society – International Travelling Fellowship
  • 2015 – Life Sciences Research Network Wales: 2nd Drug Discovery Congress – Best Post-doctoral presentation
  • 2015 – Cardiff Institute of Tissue Engineering and Repair Young Investigator Award
  • 2014 – IADR-PER GSK-Mineralised tissue group prize.
  • 2014 – The Worshipful Company of Engineers Mercia Award in Medical Engineering.
  • 2014 Cardiff Institute of Tissue Engineering and Repair Travel Bursary.
  • 2013 – Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences (PharmSci) Poster Award sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).
  • 2010 & 2013 South Wales Institute of Engineering Educational Trust (SWIEET) William Norman Thomas Travel Award.
  • 2006 – Institute of Mechanical Engineering (IMechE) 3rd Year Project Prize.
  • 2006 – Cardiff School of Engineering MMM School Prize.

Professional memberships

  • Member of the International Association for Dental Research/British Society for Oral and Dental Research.
  • Member of British Orthopaedics Research Society.
  • Member of the Cardiff Institute of Tissue Engineering and Repair.

Committees and reviewing

  • Specialty Editor for Bone and Joint Research
  • Reviewer for Frontiers Dental Medicine and Frontiers Medical Technology
  • Grant reviewer for EPSRC/BBSRC/MRC
  • Cardiff Institute of Tissue Engineering and Repair Executive Committee
  • Cardiff Materials Research Network Executive Commitee
  • Biomechanics and Bioengineering Centre Versus Arthritis Executive Committee
  • Careers and Employability lead for School of Dentistry

Supervisions

I am interested in supervising PhD students in the areas of:

  • Liposomal antimicrobial delivery to prevent and treat infectious diseases
  • Liposomal growth factor delivery to encourage osteogenesis
  • Antimicrobial lipid-based implant coatings
  • Osteogenic and antimicrobial implant topographies
  • Drug delivery from PMMA bone cements

Current PhD Opportunities:

  • Making broken bones antimicrobial: Preventing osteomyelitis using a targeted and mineralising liposomal delivery system
  • Novel laser ablated micro/nano implant surfaces for the delivery of antimicrobial and osteogenic therapeutics
  • Developing liposomal formulations to overcome mechanisms of antibiotic resistance

Current supervision

Lujien Dribika

Lujien Dribika

Postgraduate Research Student

Adel Alshammari

Adel Alshammari

Research student

Past projects

PhD Students

  • Savannah Britton - A novel antibacterial titanium implant technology for total joint arthroplasty (ongoing)
  • Peter Hansal - Optimisation and enhancement of a liposomal delivery system (awarded 2022) 
  • Clotilde Haury - Attachment of peri-implant pathogens to laser melted abutments and the development of a novel antimicrobial coating (awarded 2019)
  • Madhan Natarajan - Characterisation of pulpal responses to bacterial challenge and novel antimicrobails for management of bacterial contamination of infected pulps (awarded 2018)

MSc Students

  • Yimin Ge - The effect of phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylethalonamine and phosphatidylcholine liposomes on the osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow stromal cells (ongoing)
  • Gisselle Montenegro - Phosphatidylserine receptor expression, localisation and activation in human bone marrow stromal cells (awarded 2022)
  • Thomas Green - Modulating the host response to orthopaedic implants using ultra-short pulsed laser ablated micro/nano-topographies (awarded 2022)
  • James Adams - Glutamate receptor antagonists for the treatment of periodontal disease (awarded 2022) 
  • Marella Cuevas - Phosphatidylserine receptor expression, localisation and activation in MG-63 cells treated with liposomes (awarded 2021)
  • Sarah Jefferies - Glutamate receptor antagonists for the treatment of periodontal disease (awarded 2021)
  • Chitra Jagannathan - Nanoparticle and nanotopography-induced activation of the Wnt signalling pathway in bone regeneration: A review of the literature (awarded 2020)
  • Lujien Dribika - Liposomal delivery of growth factors for enhanced mineralised tissue repair (awarded 2020)
  • Rawan Abu Dagga - Biological functions and mechanisms of action of phosphatidylserine in bone repair (awarded 2020)
  • Yumeng Guo - In vitro models to study the host immune response to biomaterial infections (awarded 2020)
  • Abdullah Alshumrani - The behaviour of dental pulp progenitor cells cultured on conditioned dentine surfaces (awarded 2019)
  • Liam O'Brien - Eludicating the anti-adherent mechanisms of action of an FHBP orthopaedic implant coating against clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus (awarded 2019)
  • Maria Suarez Arocena - Dental pulp response to hydrogen peroxide and its potential in the treatment of dental caries (awarded 2018)
  • Yingke Cai - Glutamate transporter antagonists for the treatment of periodontal disease (awarded 2018)
  • Ana Springall de Pablo - Development of an ex vivo joint model to study biofilm-related prosthetic infections (awarded 2017)
  • Miles Thompson - The effect of liposomal zoledronate on macrophage polarisation and phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus implant-related infection (awarded 2017)
  • Rebecca Beamish - Delivery of antibiotics from osteogenic liposomal bone cement (awarded 2016) 

Specialisms

  • Biomaterials
  • Orthopaedics
  • Drug delivery
  • Implant topographies
  • Lipids