Dr. Afeesh Rajan Unnithan

Biography

Dr Afeesh Rajan Unnithan is a Lecturer in Nanotechnology in the Centre for Pharmaceutical Engineering Science at the University of Bradford. He leads research on smart electroactive biomaterials that enable remote and self-powered control of cellular function for regenerative medicine and advanced therapeutic delivery. His work integrates mechanobiology, nanomaterials engineering and bioelectronic stimulation to develop next-generation therapeutic platforms, including programmable biomaterials and extracellular vesicle (EV)-based technologies.

His research focuses on understanding how mechanically and electrically responsive materials can regulate mechanosensitive ion channels and influence key biological processes such as tissue repair, immune modulation and barrier function. A major strand of his current work explores scalable strategies for EV biomanufacturing and functional enhancement, as well as the development of biomimetic platforms for modelling complex biological interfaces such as the blood–brain barrier. These approaches aim to generate human-relevant experimental systems and translational solutions for neurological and regenerative therapies.

Dr Unnithan has established expertise in electrospinning and nanoscale biomaterial design, developing multifunctional scaffolds with tailored structural and electroactive properties. He actively collaborates with international academic and industrial partners to accelerate the translation of smart biomaterial technologies towards clinical and commercial applications. His research has attracted competitive funding support, including projects focused on self-powered immunomodulatory biomaterials for chronic wound care.

He has authored more than 55 peer-reviewed publications with over 4,000 citations (h-index 33), with work published in leading journals such as Advanced Functional Materials, Nano Energy and Advanced Healthcare Materials.

Research

As evinced in my academic milieus, I possess a strong interdisciplinary research background. After completing a Master’s Degree (M.Tech) in Nanomedicine, I pressed ahead to an interdisciplinary research career in which my main focus was on the preparation and functionalisation of multifunctional nanosystems including electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds and functional nanoparticles for various therapeutic and tissue regenerative applications.

I have developed multifunctional novel biomaterials termed piezoelectric biomaterials for the development of next-generation of biomaterial implants. I have developed piezoelectric hybrid nanoparticles such as PiezoMagnetic nanoparticles, and PiezoPlasmoic Nanoparticles for noninvasive regenerative medicine applications. Interestingly these materials are also exploited for developing Nano-generators as a sustainable source of energy for biomedical implants.

Thus, in short, I am an expert in the development and characterisation of electroactive biomaterials and their cellular interactions in an electrically active environment with the aim of enhanced tissue regeneration. These areas have formed the foundation of my research vision to innovate the next generation of multifunctional smart biomaterials that enhance cell stimulation by producing bioelectrical signals analogous to native tissues. Some of my recent notable research achievements are listed below

(1) The first report on the development of an Implantable Anticancer Device (IAD) for post-surgical breast cancer therapy and simultaneous breast reconstruction (Therapy+ Diagnosis + Regeneration=Theranogeneration)

(2) Co-developed the Piezoelectric Whitlockite for the first time for enhanced proliferation and osteogenic differentiation through non-invasive cell stimulation

(3) Co-developed Blood-flow driven smart Piezoelectric stent

(4) Development of Piezomagnetic hybrid nanoparticles for ultrasound-driven non-invasive post-surgical osteosarcoma Therogeneration

(5) The first report on the mussel-inspired nanofibers and their application as an anticancer patch

Our research is focused to launch a new dynamic treatment platform, which will extend the therapeutic horizon and provide a new form of remote-controlled healing. From a future perspective, Piezoelectric-biomaterials will gain their role in various biomedical applications like biosensors, biomechanical energy harvesters, self-powered bioimplants, artificial electronic skins and implantable microelectronics owing to their smart energy conversion properties.