- Room 105, Reynolds, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA
- +44 1752 586193
- alexander.besinis@plymouth.ac.uk

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
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