Cyrill Bussy

Research

We work at the interface of material sciences, biology, and physiopathology, using the most advanced methodologies in each area to reveal which physicochemical or biological features of nanomaterials are the most likely to induce inflammation, genotoxicity or toxic reactions, with the ultimate aim to guide the production of safer nanomaterials using a safer-by-design approach.

Using carbon nanomaterials, in particular graphene based and two-dimensional materials, as case study, we have shown that dimensions, surface properties such as surface chemistry, and the ability of nanomaterials to adsorb biological molecules (bio-corona) are three essential parameters that can be used to predict the toxicity or inertness of manufactured nanomaterials.

Our team is currently contributing to one EU project funded under the H2020 programme, 

• PLASTICHEAL , in which we aim to understand better the fate and effects of micro and nanoplastics after inhalation and ingestion

Teaching

• Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health: MBChB, MPharm, UG biological sciences, and PGT programmes
• Faculty of Sciences and Engineering: CDT Graphene programme 

University of Manchester Roles

• Research Project Supervisor for UG and PG students
• Academic Advisor for UG and PG students
• Management Board Member, Centre for Doctoral Training GRAPHENE NOWNANO
• Academic Coordinator for public engagement activities, Centre for Doctoral Training GRAPHENE NOWNANO
• Biological Safety Advisor (BSA), AV Hill Building working group, FBMH committee
• Divisional H&S and wellbeing lead for DIIIRM, SBS

Affiliations

• National Graphene Institute
• Henry Royce Institute for Advanced Materials Research and Innovation  | Biomedical Materials
• Advanced Materials in Medicine Network (cross-cutting capability, biocompatibility, champion)
• Thomas Ashton Institute  for Risk and Regulatory Research (joint initiative of the University of Manchester and the Health and Safety Executive)
• Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation 
• Manchester Environmental Research Institute 
• Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre

Employment history

• 2022 - present | Senior Lecturer at the University of Manchester, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, School of Biological Sciences
• 2013-2022 | Lecturer at the University of Manchester
• 2011 - 2013 | Marie Sklodowska-Curie career development Fellowship (EU-FP7, NanoNeuroHOP project) at UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, UK. Project aiming to reveal the neuro safety profile of different carbon based materials, modified for biomedical applications.

• 2010 - 2011 | Visiting Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Nanomedicine Lab, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, UK. Project aiming to assess the neuro safety profile of carbon nanotubes functionalised for biomedical applications. Project co-funded by French Government (Grenelle de l'Environment).

• 2007 - 2010 | C'NanoIDF Postdoctoral Research Fellow at INSERM (U955, Paris-Est University) and CNRS (UMR 8502, University of Paris-Saclay); visiting PDRA at CEA-CNRS (UMR 3685, University of Paris-Saclay), France. Project aiming to evaluate how the physico-chemical properties of carbon nanotubes influence their biological impacts on pulmonary macrophages, in the context of occupational exposure. This project was a collorative work between the Mondor Institute for Biomedical Research (IMRB, INSERM U955), the Laboratoire de Physique des Solides (CNRS UMR 8502), NIMBE unit: Nanosciences et Innovation pour les Matériaux, la Biomédecine et l'Énergie (Laboratoire Edifices Nanométriques; CEA-CNRS UMR 3685), European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ID21 group), and the chemicals and advanced materials specialist group Arkema. This work received fundings from the French National Research Agency (research) and the Nanosciences Cluster of the Ile-de-France region (fellowship).

• 2006 - 2007 | Postdoctoral Research Associate at University of Technology Compiegne (CNRS UMR 7338), France. Project aiming to investigate the biocompatibility of innovative pectin-based nanocoatings for implants and prosthesis. This industrial application-driven project was funded by the European Commission FP6 Pecticoat project (Nanobiotechnology for the coating of medical devices).

• 2002 - 2005 | PhD research candidate/engineer at IRSN (Radiotoxicology and Radiobiology Lab) and IRBA (Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées, former CRSSA, part of the French Defence Health Service), France. Project aiming to assess the neurotoxicity of radionucleides at environmental doses (project ENVIRHOM). This research was co-funded by the French Union Chamber of Mineral Waters (including Danone Group, Nestle Waters France, Neptune).

Qualifications

• 2005 | PhD. in Toxicology, University of Paris, France
• 2002 | MRes. in Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Compiègne, Sorbonne University, France (research project at CNRS Biomechanics & Bioengineering in collaboration with Le Mans Technology Transfer Centre)
• 2001 | MSc. in Cell Biology, Physiology and Microbiology, University Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France (research project at Pasteur Institute, Rabies Virus Unit, Paris)
• 2000 | BSc. in Cell Biology, Physiology and Microbiology, University Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France (final year research project in private lab)

• nanosafety ; graphene safety
• nanomaterials and environmental health (nano-EHS)
• carbon-based nanomaterials
• carbon nanomaterial doped polymers
• biodegradation of carbon nanomaterials

• biomaterials ; biocompatibility of nanomaterials
• neuroscience
• neurotoxicology
• stem cells

• mammalian cell cultures
• primary cell cultures: lung and peritoneal macrophages, brain cells
• organotypic cell cultures
• in vivo studies
• cryo-/micro-/ultramicro-tomy
• histology
• immunohisto-/cyto-chemistry
• cytotoxicity assays
• RT-PCR
• fluorescence imaging (epifluorescence, confocal)
• electronic imaging (TEM, HR-TEM, S-TEM (EELS), SEM, env-SEM, cryo-TEM, cryo-SEM, FIB-SEM) and biological sample preparation