Prof Martin Knight B.Eng., M.Sc., Ph.D.
| Position: | Professor of Mechanobiology, Director of Public Engagement |
| Tel: | +44 (0)20 7882 8868 |
| Location: | Mile End, Eng, 303b |
| Email: | m.m.knight@qmul.ac.uk |
| Vcard: | 
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| Expertise: | Articular cartilage, arthritis, medical engineering, medical implants, tissue engineering, biomaterials, biomechanics, primary cilia, public science communication, outreach |
| Research Keywords: | Primary cilia, cell mechanics, actin dynamics, cytoskeleton, mechanobiology, chondrocyte mechanotransduction, confocal microscopy, pipette aspiration |
Martin Knight is a Professor of Mechanobiology. He is also the Programme Director for the Medical Engineering undergraduate degrees and the Director of Public Engagement and Communications for the School of Engineering and Materials Science. Prof Knight previously held a prostigeous EPSRC Advanced Research Fellowship in cartilage mechanobiology and tissue engineering (2000-2006) and was promoted to Reader in 2009 and Professor in 2012.
Martin Knight’s research concerns the area of mechanobiology and mechanotransduction or how cells ‘sense and respond’ to mechanical forces (see research pages for more details). He has particular interest in the role of the primary cilium and how the structure and function of this fascinating organelle is itself regulated by factors such as disease, physicochemical stress and differentiation. Prof Knight is on the editorial board for the journal Cilia (www.ciliajournal.com/). Prof Knight is also working on cellular biomechanics and in particular the role of actin cytoskeletal dynamics and changes in nucleus mechanics assocaited with chromatin condensation.
He is also involved in biomaterial development working as a scientific consultant with Orthox Ltd (www.orthox.co.uk/) developing silk based materals for cartilage and meniscal repair.
Martin Knight has a strong interest in promoting the public understanding of science and has been involved in a wide range of science communication activities. He has participated in many public events including National Science week and Big Bang and has also held an EPSRC Partnership for Public Awareness grant. This involved working with school groups producing animated films on a range of medical science related topics. One such film won the Planet SciCast best biology film award (www.planet-scicast.com/view_clip.cfm?cit_id=2628). He is a scientific content advisor to the Centre of the Cell (www.centreofthecell.org) and has developed various physical and virtual interactive games exploring areas of bioengineering and tissue engineering:
www.xplorehealth.eu/en/media/become-medical-engineer
www.centreofthecell.org/interactives/bioengineering
Outside work Martin enjoys the 'great outdoors' and has had many enjoyable trips to wilderness areas all over the world including alpine treks, conservation work in Costa Rica, canoeing expeditions in the Everglades, cycling in the hebrides and others, many of these with his family. He is interested in wildlife and environmental issues. He is also tries his hand at creative ceramics and fly fishing!