Dr Swaroop Chakraborty M. Tech., PhD, MRSC-CChem, MRSB-CSci

PhD in Bioengineering
M. Tech in Biotechnology

Dr. Chakraborty's expertise and research interest lies in biogeochemical transformations of nanomaterials, focusing on their dissolution, reactivity, and chemical evolution in complex biological and environmental systems. He is particularly interested in Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) as tuneable platforms for adsorption, catalysis, and controlled delivery. His research integrates synchrotron radiation techniques, including X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS), X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), and Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS), to probe the structural and chemical transformations of MOFs under environmentally and biologically relevant conditions. He also employs in-situ and ex-situ Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) to visualise real-time nanoscale interactions, alongside stable isotope labelling to track nanomaterial fate and transformation pathways in mammalian cells and ecotoxicological organism Daphnia magna.

Through his interdisciplinary approach, Dr. Chakraborty is shaping the future of nanomaterial design, ensuring that engineered nanomaterials are safe, sustainable, and optimised for environmental and biomedical applications. His work not only advances fundamental understanding of nanoscale transformations but also contributes to the development of next-generation materials that align with global sustainability and safety goals.

• Safe and Sustainable by Design Seminar for MSc Sustainable Chemistry (School of Chemistry, at University of Birmingham)
• Tutor BSc. Human Sciences Year I and Year II students at University of Birmingham
• M.Res. Environmental and Biological Nanoscience teaching at University of Birmingham on nanoparticles synthesis, characterisation and stable isotope labelling.

As a NERC Independent Research Fellow, Dr Chakraborty keen to supervise PhD students in interdisciplinary research areas that align with nanomaterials, environmental science, and bioengineering. His research focuses on developing safe and sustainable nanomaterials, understanding their biogeochemical transformations, and assessing their environmental and health impacts.

• Below are the key research areas where he can supervise PhD projects:

  1. Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) of Nanomaterials

  • Designing engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) with minimal toxicity and maximum functionality.
  • Assessing nanomaterial transformations under realistic environmental and biological conditions.
  • Developing green synthesis routes for carbon dots, MOFs, and other nanomaterials.
    
    

  2. Biogeochemical Transformation of Nanomaterials

  • Investigating dissolution, agglomeration, and re-precipitation of nanomaterials in different environments.
  • Studying the interactions of nanoparticles with natural organic matter, biomolecules, and minerals.
  • Utilizing synchrotron-based X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), in-situ TEM, and stable isotope labeling to track chemical transformations.
    
    

  3. Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) for Environmental and Biomedical Applications

  • Understanding the hydrolytic stability, dissolution, and reactivity of MOFs in biological and environmental systems.
  • Developing MOFs for heavy metal adsorption, nanofertilizers, and controlled drug delivery.
  • Exploring MOF-carbon dot composites for catalytic and biomedical applications.
    
    

  4. Ecotoxicity and Fate of Microplastics and Nanoplastics

  • Studying chemical fouling of microplastics and its impact on ecotoxicity.
  • Investigating the adsorption of heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) on micro/nanoplastics.
  • Using Single-Cell ICP-MS and stable isotope approaches to trace nanoplastic uptake in biological systems.
    
    5. Advanced Analytical and Spectroscopic Techniques for Nanomaterial Characterization
  • Employing synchrotron radiation techniques (XAS, SAXS, XRF) and in-situ TEM for mechanistic insights into nanomaterial transformations.
  • Developing new methodologies for real-time monitoring of nanomaterial dissolution and aggregation.
  • Leveraging microfluidic organ-on-a-chip devices to study nanoparticle-cell interactions.

Dr. Chakraborty's expertise and research interest lies in biogeochemical transformations of nanomaterials, focusing on their dissolution, reactivity, and chemical evolution in complex biological and environmental systems. He is particularly interested in Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) as tuneable platforms for adsorption, catalysis, and controlled delivery. His research integrates synchrotron radiation techniques, including X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS), X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), and Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS), to probe the structural and chemical transformations of MOFs under environmentally and biologically relevant conditions. He also employs in-situ and ex-situ Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) to visualise real-time nanoscale interactions, alongside stable isotope labelling to track nanomaterial fate and transformation pathways in mammalian cells and ecotoxicological organism Daphnia magna.

Through his interdisciplinary approach, Dr. Chakraborty is shaping the future of nanomaterial design, ensuring that engineered nanomaterials are safe, sustainable, and optimised for environmental and biomedical applications. His work not only advances fundamental understanding of nanoscale transformations but also contributes to the development of next-generation materials that align with global sustainability and safety goals.

• GEES Early Career Development Network Representative (Since 2023) (https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/university/colleges/les/ecdn/reps/dr-swaroop-chakraborty.aspx)
• Member of LES Research and Knowledge Transfer committee (R&KT) (Since 2023)
• Member of GEES Research Committee (Since 2024)
• Reviewer of Journals RSC Environmental Science: Nano, Elsevier Toxicology Reports, ACS Environmental Pollution, Frontiers in Toxicology. (Since 2021)
• Guest editor in the Journal Pharmaceutics, Toxics (2024)
• Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry (2023)
• Member of the Royal Society of Biology (2023)