Dr Alexander Besinis
Profiles

Dr Alexander Besinis

Associate Professor in Mechanical and Medical Engineering

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics (Faculty of Science and Engineering)

Biography

Biography

  • Dr Alexander Besinis is the Associate Head for Outreach and Recruitment in the School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics.
  • He is the MSc Medical Engineering Programme Lead
  • He is the lead of the Biomedical Engineering Research Forum for the University of Plymouth.
  • He is the lead of Medical Engineering and Biomaterials within the MAterials and STructures (MAST) Research Group

Qualifications

2006- 2010: PhD in Biomaterials, University of Sheffield

2005-2006: MSc in Medical Engineering, University of Liverpool

2001-2005: BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Technology Engineering (First Class), University of Athens

Professional membership

Honorary Teaching Fellow at Peninsula Dental School

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy  

Member of United Kingdom Society for Biomaterials

Member of International Association for Dental Research

Member of the British Society for Oral and Dental Research 

Member of the American Society for Microbiology

Roles on external bodies

External moderator for Plymouth City College

External moderator for Truro and Penwith College

External moderator for Cornwall College

Teaching

Teaching

Teaching interests

  • Engineering Practice and Experimental Techniques (ENGR 102) - Year 1
  • Engineering Materials (ENGR106) - Year 1
  • Integrated Dental Science (DEN411) - Year 1
  • Advanced MAterials (MATS345) - Year 3
  • Manufacturing and Structural Integrity (MECH339) - Year 3
  • Advanced Composites Technology (MECH548) - MEng (Year 5)
  • Medical Engineering and Biomechanics (MECH549) - MSc (Postgraduate)
  • Advanced Materials Engineering & Nanotechnology (MECH551) - MEng (Year 5), MSc (postgraduate)

Staff serving as external examiners

  • Truro & Penwith College
  • Plymouth City College

Research

Research

Research interests

My research interests focus on advanced engineering materials and the use of nanotechnology to build novel composites, biomaterials and implants with improved mechanical and physical properties.

Key areas of interest are:

  •  Synthesis and advanced material characterisation of novel nanoparticles.
  •  Investigation of the mechanical and physical properties of metals, ceramics, elastomers and composite materials.
  •  Recovery of the micromechanical properties of demineralised bone and teeth following infiltration with engineered nanomaterials.
  •  Remineralisation of bone and teeth using colloidal nanosolutions.
  •  Application of nanocoatings to titanium alloy medical implants to improve biocompatibility and osseointegration.
  •  Use of nanotechnology with oral tissues, implants, maxillofacial prostheses and medical devices to inhibit biofilm formation and achieve infection control. 
  •  Evaluation of the antibacterial effect of nanomaterials against pathogenic bacteria and fungi.
  •  Investigation of nanomaterials behaviour in complex biological media (blood, urine, oral saliva).
  •  Use of single atomic layer of graphite (graphene) in medical applications.

Other research

Self-funded PhD and Masters opportunities

We are actively seeking self-funded students who wish to obtain a PhD or Masters degree. We welcome applications from students who have or hope to gain scholarships or wish to self-fund their studies in the following research areas. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list and you are very welcome to contact Dr Alexander Besinis (alexander.besinis@plymouth.ac.uk) to discuss research options.

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biomaterials
  • Nanotechnology applications
  • Nanocomposites - Smart Materials
  • Biofilm development - Infection control
  • Biofouling

Publications

Publications

Journals

1. Al-Kadmy, IMS, Besinis A. Manufacturing silver nano-coating currencies to prevent the bacteria growing on the surface of currency. Gene Reports. 2020;19,100648.

2. Al-Kadmy IMS, Ibrahim SA, Al-Saryi N, Aziz SN, Besinis A, Hetta HF. Prevalence of genes involved in colistin resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii: First report from Iraq. Microbial Drug Resistance. 2020;26(6):616–622.

3. Salaie RN, Besinis A, Le H, Tredwin C, Handy RD. The biocompatibility of silver and nanohydroxyapatite coatings on titanium dental implants with human primary osteoblast cells. Materials Science and Engineering C: Materials for Biological Applications. 2020;107:110210.    

4. Gunputh UF, Le H, Lawton K, Besinis A, Tredwin C, Handy RD. Antibacterial properties of silver nanoparticles grown in situ and anchored to titanium dioxide nanotubes on titanium implant against Staphylococcus aureus. Nanotoxicology. 2020;14:97-110. 

5. Ilves M, Kinaret PAS, Ndika J, Karisola P, Marwah V, Fortino V, Fedutik Y, Correia M, Ehrlich N, Loeschner K, Besinis A, Vassallo J, Handy RD, Wolff H, Savolainen K, Greco D, Alenius H. Surface PEGylation suppresses pulmonary effects of CuO in allergen-induced lung inflammation. Particle and Fibre Toxicology. 2019;16:28 

6. Gunputh UF, Le H, Besinis A, Tredwin C, Handy RD. Multilayered composite coatings of titanium dioxide nanotubes decorated with zinc oxide and hydroxyapatite nanoparticles: controlled release of Zn and antimicrobial properties against Staphylococcus aureus. International Journal of Nanomedicine. 2019;14:3583-3600.

7. Vassallo J, Besinis A, Boden R, Handy RD. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assaywith Escherichia coli: An early tier in the environmental hazard assessment of nanomaterials? Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. 2018;162:633-646.

8. Meran Z, Besinis A, De Peralta T, Handy RD. Antifungal properties and biocompatibility of silver nanoparticle coatings on silicone maxillofacial prostheses in vitro. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B: Applied Biomaterials. 2018;106B:1038-1051. 

9. Besinis A, Hadi SD, Le HR, Tredwin C, Handy RD. Antibacterial activity and biofilm inhibition by surface modified titanium alloy medical implants following application of silver, titanium dioxide and hydroxyapatite nanocoatings. Nanotoxicology. 2017;3:327-338. 

10. Danookdharree UF, Besinis A, Tredwin C, Handy RD. Antibacterial properties and molecular biocompatibility of TiO2-ZnO nanocomposite coatings for dental implants. Journal of Dental Research. 2017;96 (Spec Iss B):13.

11. Besinis A, Islam K, Gombos Z, Handy R, Awan S. Application of graphene nanocoating for the management of microleakage and dentine hypersensitivity. Journal of Dental Research. 2017;96 (Spec Iss B):46.    

12. Salaie RN, Besinis A, Le H, Tredwin C, Handy RD. Biocompatibility and adhesion of silver nanocoating on titanium dental implants. Journal of Dental Research. 2017;96 (Spec Iss B):91.

13. Natesan K, Besinis A, Le H, Tredwin C, Handy RD. Silver nanoparticles doped carbon nanotube-hydroxyapatite composites: biocompatibility and antibacterial property investigation. Journal of Dental Research. 2017;96 (Spec Iss B):95.    
 
14. Besinis A, van Noort R, Martin N. The use of acetone to enhance the infiltration of HA nanoparticles into a demineralized dentin collagen matrix. Dental Materials. 2016;32:385-393.

15. Vassallo J, Besinis A, Boden R, Handy RD. Evaluation of the minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) assay for environmental assessment of nanomaterials. Toxicology Letters. 2016;258:265-266.

16. Besinis A, De Peralta T, Tredwin CJ, Handy RD. Review of nanomaterials in dentistry: Interactions with the oral microenvironment, clinical applications, hazards and benefits. ACS Nano. 2015;9:2255-2289.

17. Besinis A, Hadi S, Le H, Tredwin C, Handy RD. Bacterial toxicity comparison between silver, titanium dioxide and hydroxyapatite nanoparticles. Journal of Dental Research. 2015;94 (Spec Iss B):58

18. Salaie RN, Besinis A, Le H, Tredwin C, Handy RD. Biocompatibility of surface-modified titanium implants with silver and hydroxyapatite nanoparticles. Journal of Dental Research. 2015;94 (Spec Iss B):66

19.  Besinis A, Fleck O, Handy RD. Effect of TiO2 nanoparticles on the mechanical properties of demineralised dentine. Journal of Dental Research. 2015;94 (Spec Iss A):3592 

20. Besinis A, van Noort R, Martin N. Remineralization potential of fully demineralized dentin infiltrated with silica and hydroxyapatite nanoparticles. Dental Materials. 2014;30:249-262.
 
21. Besinis A, De Peralta T, Handy RD. Inhibition of biofilm formation and antibacterial properties of a silver nano-coating on human dentine. Nanotoxicology. 2014;8:745-754.
 
22. Besinis A, De Peralta T, Handy RD. The antibacterial effects of Ag, TiO2 and SiO2 nanoparticles compared to the dental disinfectant chlorhexidine on Streptococcus mutans using a suite of bioassays. Nanotoxicology. 2014;8:1-16.

23. Besinis A, Meran Z, De Peralta T, Handy RD. Antifungal properties and biocompatibility of nano-silver coatings on maxillofacial prosthetics. Journal of Dental Research. 2014;93(Spec Iss B):304 

24. Besinis A, De Peralta T, Handy RD. Antibacterial and anti-biofilm activity of a silver nanoparticles dentin coating. Journal of Dental Research. 2013;92 (Spec IssA):1646    

25. Besinis A, van Noort R, Martin N. Infiltration of demineralized dentin with silica and hydroxyapatite nanoparticles. Dental Materials. 2012;28:1012-1023.

26. Besinis A, De Peralta T, Handy RD. Comparative efficacy of nanoparticulate and non-nanoparticulate agents against cariogenic bacteria. Journal of Dental Research. 2011;90 (Spec Iss B):312    

27. Besinis A, De Peralta T, Handy RD. Use of nanoparticles as antimicrobials in dentistry: A pilot study. Journal of Dental Research. 2011;90 (Spec Iss B):124

28. Besinis A, van Noort R, Martin N. Dentine infiltration with nanoparticles to promote remineralisation. Journal of Dental Research. 2009;88 (Spec Iss B):24

29. Besinis A, van Noort R, Martin N. Infiltration of demineralised bovine dentine with nano-particulate solutions. Journal of Dental Research. 2009;88 (Spec Iss A):2111

30. Besinis A, van Noort R, Martin N. Production and characterisation of nanoparticulate calcium hydroxyapatite. Tissue Engineering Part A. 2009;15(5):1-29

31. Besinis A, van Noort R, Martin N. Production and characterisation of sol-gel hydroxyapatite nanoparticles. Journal of Dental Research. 2008;87 (Spec Iss C):276