My research background is in photonics and the development of optical instrumentation. My present research applies this expertise to develop and apply innovative novel optical systems to address fundamental challenges faced in biological imaging.
As the life sciences communities continue to embrace optical imaging, the growing range of applications places greater demands on the optical technology required. Robust and simple to use systems are sought to improve the efficiency and ease of existing imaging techniques. Nonlinear optics has demonstrated great potential in creating useful solutions for advanced optical imaging, exploiting higher order effects not not only to improve existing imaging methods but also to assist with the creation of new imaging techniques.
Current projects involve innovations in nonlinear optics to create new enabling technologies. These include custom-designed laser systems for coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering microscopy, the creation of 'open source' laser scanning microscopy platforms, the application of optical methods to control the function and behaviour of biological organisms and the development of diagnostic tools and measurement techniques applied in optical imaging. My research has been funded through a variety of sources including EPSRC, BBSRC and EU Framework Programme, and has involved a number of national and international collaborators with skills across the full range of scientific disciplines.
"Stanford-Scotland Photonics Innovation Collaboration (Science Bridges)" EPSRC Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
"Super-resolution optical microscopy via nonlinear self-focusing" EPSRC
"Visit to LaSIE (April 2008): Initiating an International Collaboration to Develop Laser Sources for" EPSRC
"The lighter touch: minimally-invasive optical modulation of Ca2+-activated K+ ion channels" EPSRC
Publications
J.Y. Fu, W. Zhang, D.R. Blatchford, L. Tetley, G. McConnell, C. Dufès (2011) Novel tocotrienol-entrapping vesicles can eradicate solid tumors after intravenous administration. Journal of Controlled Release154, 20-26 [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2011.04.015]
Granados E, Pask HM, Esposito E, McConnell G and Spence DJ (2010) Multi-wavelength, all-solid-state, continuous wave mode locked picosecond Raman laser. Optics Express18, 5289-5294
Norris G and McConnell G (2010) Relaxed damage threshold intensity conditions and nonlinear increase in the conversion efficiency of an optical parametric oscillator using a bi-directional pump geometry. Optics Express18, 3993-3999
Zhang W, McDonald A, Ackemann T, Riis E and McConnell G (2010) Femtosecond synchronously in-well pumped vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting laser. Optics Express18, 187-192
Harris J and McConnell G (2008) Optical trapping and manipulation of live T cells with a low numerical aperture lens. Optics Express16, 14036-14043
Harris J, Norris G and McConnell G (2008) Characterisation of periodically poled materials using nonlinear microscopy. Optics Express16, 5667-5672
J.Y. Fu, W. Zhang, D.R. Blatchford, L. Tetley, G. McConnell, C. Dufès (2011) Novel tocotrienol-entrapping vesicles can eradicate solid tumors after intravenous administration. Journal of Controlled Release154, 20-26 [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2011.04.015]
Granados E, Pask HM, Esposito E, McConnell G and Spence DJ (2010) Multi-wavelength, all-solid-state, continuous wave mode locked picosecond Raman laser. Optics Express18, 5289-5294
Norris G and McConnell G (2010) Relaxed damage threshold intensity conditions and nonlinear increase in the conversion efficiency of an optical parametric oscillator using a bi-directional pump geometry. Optics Express18, 3993-3999
Zhang W, McDonald A, Ackemann T, Riis E and McConnell G (2010) Femtosecond synchronously in-well pumped vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting laser. Optics Express18, 187-192
Harris J and McConnell G (2008) Optical trapping and manipulation of live T cells with a low numerical aperture lens. Optics Express16, 14036-14043
Harris J, Norris G and McConnell G (2008) Characterisation of periodically poled materials using nonlinear microscopy. Optics Express16, 5667-5672
Kek W K., Foulds W S., McConnell G, Wright A J, Girkin J M & Wilson C G. (2010) Two-photon fluorescence excitation microscopy to assess trans-scleral diffusional pathways in an isolated perfused bovine eye model. INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE51, 5182-5189 [DOI: doi:10.1167/iovs.09-3854 ]
Smith, RW, Robinson JP, Zucker RM, Geddes C, Kachelmeier A, McConnell G, Merrifield C, Murphy R, Nolan J, Price R, Rabinovitch P, Sanchez E, Sklar L, So P and Sudar D (2008) Perspectives on cellular analysis: linking quantitation to structure and function by instrumental methods and analysis. Microscopy and Microanalysis14, 752-753
McConnell G (2008) Pulse shapes for optimized nonlinear microscopy. Physics in Medicine and Biology, Journal of Applied Physics D41, 205502-205505
Zhang W, Parsons M and McConnell G (2010) Flexible and stable optical parametric oscillator based laser system for coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering microscopy. Microscopy Research and Technique73, 650-656
Keatings SR, Zhang W and McConnell G (2008) Characterisation of microscope objective lenses from 1400-1650 nm to evaluate performance for long-wavelength nonlinear microscopy applications. Microscopy Research and Technique71, 517-520 [DOI: 10.1002/jemt.20580]
Esposito E, Keatings SR, Gardner K, Harris J, Riis E and McConnell G (2008) Confocal laser scanning microscopy using a frequency doubled VECSEL. Review of Scientific Instruments79, 083702 [DOI: 10.1063/1.2966395] Published (review)
Harris J and McConnell G (2008) Optical trapping and manipulation of live T cells with a low numerical aperture lens. Virtual Journal of Biology16, 14036-14043
