Neil has a key role in delivering the bacterial detection point of care systems, encompassing the identification of unique targets, generation of the requisite recognition molecules and incorporation into the transducer system (impedance, surface acoustic wave, or paper based diagnostics). Neil is also chair of the consortium Education Alliance. Neil's experience in biochemistry, molecular biology, nanotechnology and biosensors will be invaluable to the IRC project goals. An academic at Newcastle University in the Institute of Cellular Medicine, embedded within the Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technologies group, Neil strongly believes in multidisciplinary research and its advantages for the quality of scientific output. This is illustrated by current interest in the development of biological, microbial, or chemical sensors based on microelectromechanical systems (bio-MEMS).