Dr Jonathan Dawson
EPSRC Research Fellow

- Related links
- The Nanoclay Group
- Renovos
Dr Jonathan Dawson is EPSRC Research Fellow within Medicine at the University of Southampton.
I am exploring ways to stimulate stem cells by controlling their microenvironment through the use of gels and nanoparticles.
Jon has a five-year personal fellowship from the EPSRC to develop his research group exploring the application of clay nanoparticles for regenerative medicine.
Jon started his work with clay nanoparticles during his PhD (2004-2007), investigating novel biomaterials for skeletal regeneration. The PhD was a BBSRC Strategic Research Studentship at the interface of medicine and chemistry under Prof. Richard Oreffo (School of Medicine, University of Southampton, USOTON) and Prof. George Attard (School of Chemistry, USOTON).
The work was motivated by the ability of clay nanoparticles to self-organise into gels, potentially allowing stem-cells to be delivered and retained at an injury site via injection and gel-formation in situ.
Early on Jon encountered significant problems recovering biological information from clay-gel encapsulated cells due to the tendency of biological molecules to stick to clay particles. This ‘sticky’ problem presented, however, a unique opportunity to control the stem cell environment through the ability of clay particles to hold biological signals in space and over time.
Jon has since developed a range of assays to confirm the ability of clay-associated molecules to direct stem cell behaviour. The exciting results from these early studies and the fruitful interactions that have followed constitute the background to much of his current work.
In 2017, Jon co-founded and became Developmental Lead of Renovos Biologics Limited, a spin-out from the University of Southampton to progress the clinical translation of his work on nanoclay gels – for more information visit Renovos Biologics Limited website.
Jon has worked as a postdoctoral research fellow within the field of stem cell biology and published in journals such as Stem Cells, Advanced Materials, Bone and Biomaterials. He has also worked closely with clinicians engaged in translational stem cell research and in 2010 was awarded The Engineer Award for a collaboration with industry and clinicians developing an intra-operative bone marrow stem cell concentration method.
Qualifications
BSc (1st), Biological Sciences, University of Plymouth
PhD, University of Southampton
Postdoctoral Career Track Fellow, Bone and Joint Research Group, University of Southampton (September 2013 – May 2014)
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Bone and Joint Research Group, University of Southampton (Oct 2007 – August 2013)