Dr. Nick Brooks

Biography

Nick Brooks is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Imperial College London, where he leads the Dynamic Soft Systems group. His research focuses on the effects of high pressure on the structure and micromechanics of biological membranes, alongside the dynamic structural changes in membrane-based systems. With a strong interest in advanced instrumentation and technique development, he collaborates closely with members of the Membrane Biophysics Platform, working at the forefront of the emerging field of molecular membrane engineering to design and construct new biologically-inspired materials and devices. His goal is to revolutionize the design and fabrication of smart, soft materials that can catalyze a paradigm shift in areas such as nanomedicine, bioelectronics, and biological computing devices, as well as synthetic organelles. His work is underpinned by the development of new instrumentation, particularly high pressure platforms that allow access to experiments previously thought impossible. He has developed world-class systems for high pressure pressure-jump microscopy and has led collaborations across the UK, Europe, and the USA. He established an internationally leading pressure-jump facility for small angle X-ray diffraction at the Diamond Light Source, contributing to the development of related facilities and probing the structural changes of soft materials in response to environmental triggers. Additionally, he has a strong interest in teaching and innovation in education, particularly in developing resources that encourage students to explore topics from a variety of perspectives. He serves as the Senior Tutor in the Department of Chemistry and is a member of the teaching leadership team, committed to the dissemination of best practices in teaching and pastoral care.

Research Interests