Our Research

Research in Bio-Inspired Technology at Imperial College London brings together engineering, medicine, and the life sciences to develop new technologies that improve human health. Our work focuses on translating fundamental advances in microelectronics, sensing, and computation into practical healthcare solutions – from personalised diagnostics and consumer health technologies to advanced neural interfaces and implantable systems.

Led by Professors Chris Toumazou, Pantelis Georgiou, and Tim Constandinou, the Centre’s research spans the full pathway from discovery and device design through to clinical evaluation, real-world deployment, and commercial translation.

Research Director: Professor Pantelis Georgiou

Another core area of activity is the creation of compact diagnostic technologies that bring laboratory-grade testing directly to patients and clinicians. Our research in lab-on-chip systems integrates microelectronics, biosensing, and fluidics to enable rapid, low-cost detection of disease at the point of care.

These technologies have been applied to infectious diseases, genetic testing, and metabolic health, with devices designed to operate in settings ranging from hospitals and clinics to community healthcare and low-resource environments. The emphasis is on speed, accuracy, and accessibility – allowing critical health information to be obtained in minutes rather than days.

We are also exploring wearable and continuous monitoring platforms that can track biological signals over time, opening up new possibilities for early diagnosis, disease management, and personalised medicine.

Research Director: Professor Tim Constandinou

A major strand of our research explores how advanced microelectronics can interface with the nervous system to understand, monitor, and treat neurological conditions. This includes the development of implantable and wearable technologies that can record neural activity, deliver targeted electrical stimulation, and adapt intelligently to the body’s changing state.

Current work addresses conditions such as epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and dementia, combining low-power integrated circuits with novel sensing and stimulation strategies. A key focus is neuromodulation – using precisely controlled electrical signals to influence neural circuits – with the aim of making therapies more personalised, adaptive, and effective over long periods of use.

Alongside implantable devices, we are also developing unobtrusive sensing technologies for monitoring neurological health in everyday environments. These include radar-based systems that can track movement, sleep, and behaviour in the home without the use of cameras or wearable devices, supporting research into ageing, neurodegeneration, and independent living.

Lab website: Next Generation Neural Interfaces

Research Director: Regius Professor Chris Toumazou FRS

Our research also addresses healthcare at the level of everyday decision-making. By combining biosensing, genomics, and behavioural science, we develop consumer-focused technologies that empower individuals to make healthier choices in daily life.

This includes work on rapid genetic testing platforms and personalised health tools that provide actionable guidance at the “point of decision” – for example when choosing food, lifestyle options, or health interventions. The concept of nudgeomics underpins this approach, using insights from human behaviour to deliver subtle, evidence-based prompts that support long-term wellbeing.

These technologies aim to bridge the gap between clinical knowledge and real-world behaviour, enabling preventative healthcare that is personalised, scalable, and grounded in rigorous engineering and clinical science.

Bio-Inspired Technology research at Imperial is highly interdisciplinary, bringing together engineers, clinicians, computer scientists, and industry partners. Our work is closely connected to real clinical needs and societal challenges, with strong links to hospitals, healthcare providers, and translational programmes.

We welcome prospective PhD students and collaborators from a wide range of backgrounds who are interested in developing impactful technologies at the interface of engineering and medicine. Whether your interests lie in microelectronics, biomedical sensing, data-driven healthcare, or translational research, our Centre offers an environment where fundamental innovation and real-world impact go hand in hand.