Doctor Richard Gillis BSc. PhD PGCert MIFST FHEA
Senior Lecturer in Food Science and Technology
Summary
I am an academic working in the field of macromolecules, their interactions, and how they impact the food we eat. I teach food technology, biotechnology and elements of food safety.
I am also a co-lead for the National Centre for Macromolecular Hydrodynamics, and an associate member for the Advanced Food Innovation Centre.
About
I started my training in 2007, studying at the University of Nottingham for a BSc. in Food Science. Having completed this, I undertook a PhD at the National Centre for Macromolecular Hydrodynamics, co-sponsored by the BBSRC and Kelloggs. I was studying the interactions between proteins and polysaccharides for both food and healthcare applications, as well as helping to develop new analytical methods such as SEDFIT-MSTAR and MULTISIG.
From 2015, I worked at the Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, as a postdoctoral research fellow investigating insulin analogues. This involved studying their tertiary and quaternary structures and linking this with clinical function, employing techniques developed during my PhD as well as using functional MRI to observe the effects of different insulin analogues on the brains of patients with Type 1 Diabetes. I also investigated oral-route delivery of insulins using naturally occurring oleosomes from oilseeds.
Furthermore, I collaborated with a leading Fast Moving Consumer Goods manufacturer on a more sustainable and efficient method of producing ice cream, again using naturally occurring oleosomes.
My lecturing career began at Birmingham City University, where I was responsible for writing and delivering a new Food and Nutrition Science course, and teaching Levels 4-6 in the fields of biotechnology and food safety.
Since 2022, I am a part of the Sheffield Business School as a Senior Lecturer in Food Science and Technology. I teach on the following courses: MSc. Food and Nutrition Science, MSc. Food Consumer Marketing and Product Development, BSc. Food and Nutrition Science, BSc. Human Nutrition and Health; and BSc. Professional Practice in Food Technology, for which I am the course leader.
My research interests lie in the cross-section of food structure, functionality, health and sustainability. For example, developing non-animal-product versions of popular foods that maintain the same texture and flavour, while offering good nutritional properties and reducing the burden on the environment.
I am a Fellow of both the Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST), and the Higher Education Academy (HEA). Additionally, I co-lead the National Centre for Macromolecular Hydrodynamics (NCMH) and am an associate member of the Advanced Food Innovation Centre (AFIC).
Teaching
Sheffield Business School
College of Business, Technology and Engineering
Sustainable Futures & Supply Chain
BSc. Food and Nutrition Science
BSc. Human Nutrition and Health
BSc. Professional Practice in Food Technology
MSc. Food and Nutrition Science
MSc. Food Consumer Marketing and Product Development
Level 4:
Fundamentals of Food and Nutrition
(HDA) Physics of Food
Level 5:
Sustainable Food: Preservation, Processing & Packaging
(HDA) Food Processing & Packaging
Level 6:
(HDA) Work Based Investigation
Level 7:
Dissertation
Global Food Systems, Quality & Sustainability
Publications
Journal articles
Abu Hammad, K., Dinu, V., MacCalman, T.E., Pattem, J., Goodall, M., Gillis, R.B., ... Harding, S.E. (2023). Comparative sedimentation equilibrium analysis of two IgG1 glycoforms: IgGCri and IgGWid. European biophysics journal : EBJ, 52 (4-5), 439-443. http://doi.org/10.1007/s00249-023-01656-x
Jacob, P.L., Brugnoli, B., Del Giudice, A., Phan, H., Chauhan, V.M., Beckett, L., ... Taresco, V. (2023). Poly (diglycerol adipate) variants as enhanced nanocarrier replacements in drug delivery applications. Journal of colloid and interface science, 641, 1043-1057. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2023.03.124
Chun, T., Pattem, J., Gillis, R., Dinu, V.T., Yakubov, G.E., Corfield, A.P., & Harding, S.E. (2023). Comparative hydrodynamic and nanoscale imaging study on the interactions of teicoplanin-A2 and bovine submaxillary mucin as a model ocular mucin. Scientific Reports, 13 (1). http://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-38036-6
Apolinário, P.P., Zanchetta, F.C., Breder, J.S.C., Adams, G., Consonni, S.R., Gillis, R., ... Lima, M.H.M. (2023). Anti-inflammatory, procollagen, and wound repair properties of topical insulin gel. Brazilian journal of medical and biological research = Revista brasileira de pesquisas medicas e biologicas, 56. http://doi.org/10.1590/1414-431x2023e12640
Chun, T., Pattem, J., Gillis, R.B., Dinu, V.T., Yakubov, G.E., Corfield, A.P., & Harding, S.E. (2023). Self-association of the glycopeptide antibiotic teicoplanin A2 in aqueous solution studied by molecular hydrodynamics. Scientific Reports, 13 (1). http://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-28740-8
Alzahrani, Q.E., Gillis, R., Harding, S.E., Pinto, L.H., Gulati, M., Kapoor, B., ... Adams, G.G. (2022). Potential of the triad of fatty acids, polyphenols, and prebiotics from cucurbita against COVID-19 in diabetic patients: a review. Journal of Reports in Pharmaceutical Sciences, 11 (1), 28-40. http://doi.org/10.4103/jrptps.JRPTPS_144_21
Gillis, R.B., Solomon, H.V., Govada, L., Oldham, N.J., Dinu, V., Jiwani, S.I., ... Adams, G.G. (2021). Analysis of insulin glulisine at the molecular level by X-ray crystallography and biophysical techniques. Scientific reports, 11. http://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-81251-2
Wakefield, J.M.K., Hampe, R., Gillis, R.B., Sitterli, A., Adams, G.G., Kutzke, H., ... Harding, S.E. (2020). Aminoethyl substitution enhances the self-assembly properties of an aminocellulose as a potential archaeological wood consolidant. European Biophysics Journal, 49, 791-798. http://doi.org/10.1007/s00249-020-01451-y
Jiwani, S.I., Gillis, R.B., Besong, D., Almutairi, F., Erten, T., Kök, M.S., ... Adams, G.G. (2020). Isolation and Biophysical Characterisation of Bioactive Polysaccharides from Cucurbita Moschata (Butternut Squash). Polymers, 12 (8). http://doi.org/10.3390/polym12081650
Beji, O., Gillis, R.B., Dinu, V., Jiwani, S.I., Gyasi-Antwi, P., Fisk, I.D., ... Huang, S. (2020). Exploration of temperature and shelf-life dependency of the therapeutically available Insulin Detemir. European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 152, 340-347. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpb.2020.05.016
Jiwani, S.I., Huang, S., Beji, O., Gyasi-Antwi, P., Gillis, R.B., & Adams, G.G. (2020). Clinically Relevant Insulin Degludec and its Interaction with Polysaccharides: A Biophysical Examination. Polymers, 12 (2). http://doi.org/10.3390/polym12020390
Dinu, V., Gadon, A., Hurst, K., Lim, M., Ayed, C., Gillis, R.B., ... Fisk, I.D. (2019). An enzymatically controlled mucoadhesive system for enhancing flavour during food oral processing. npj Science of Food, 3 (1), 1-8.
Dinu, V., Gillis, R., MacCalman, T., Lim, M., Adams, G.G., Harding, S.E., & Fisk, I.D. (2019). Submaxillary mucin: its effect on aroma release from acidic drinks and new insight into the effect of aroma compounds on its macromolecular integrity. Food Biophysics, 14 (3), 278-286. http://doi.org/10.1007/s11483-019-09574-2
Li, Y., Govada, L., Solomon, H., Gillis, R., Adams, G., & Chayen, N. (2019). Analysis of Glulisine Crystallisation Utilising Phase Diagrams and Nucleants. Crystals, 9 (9). http://doi.org/10.3390/cryst9090462
Dinu, V., Gadon, A., Hurst, K., Lim, M., Ayed, C., Gillis, R.B., ... Fisk, I.D. (2019). An enzymatically controlled mucoadhesive system for enhancing flavour during food oral processing. NPJ science of food, 3 (1). http://doi.org/10.1038/s41538-019-0043-y
Hartill, E., Gillis, R.B., Jiwani, S.I., Recchia, N., Meal, A., & Adams, G.G. (2018). Hypoglycaemic unawareness: A systematic review of qualitative studies of significant others'(SO) supportive interventions for patients with diabetes mellitus. Heliyon, 4 (10). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2018.e00887
Wakefield, J.M.K., Gillis, R.B., Adams, G.G., McQueen, C., & Harding, S.E. (2018). Controlled depolymerisation assessed by analytical ultracentrifugation of low molecular weight chitosan for use in archaeological conservation. European Biophysics Journal, 47, 769-775. http://doi.org/10.1007/s00249-018-1290-6
Channell, G.A., Adams, G.G., Lu, Y., Gillis, R.B., Dinu, V., Grundy, M.M.-.L., ... Harding, S.E. (2018). Use of the Extended Fujita method for representing the molecular weight and molecular weight distributions of native and processed oat beta-glucans. Scientific Reports, 8. http://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-29997-0
Adiewere, P., Gillis, R.B., Jiwani, S.I., Meal, A., Shaw, I., & Adams, G.G. (2018). A systematic review and meta-analysis of patient education in preventing and reducing the incidence or recurrence of adult diabetes foot ulcers (DFU). Heliyon, 4 (5). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2018.e00614
Adams, G.G., Meal, A., Morgan, P.S., Alzahrani, Q.E., Zobel, H., Lithgo, R., ... Gillis, R.B. (2018). Characterisation of insulin analogues therapeutically available to patients. PloS one, 13 (3). http://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0195010
Adams, G.G., Alzahrani, Q., Jiwani, S.I., Meal, A., Morgan, P.S., Coffey, F., ... Chayen, N. (2017). Glargine and degludec: Solution behaviour of higher dose synthetic insulins. Scientific reports, 7 (1), 1-11.
Phillips-Jones, M.K., Lithgo, R., Dinu, V., Gillis, R., Harding, J.E., Adams, G.G., & Harding, S.E. (2017). Full hydrodynamic reversibility of the weak dimerization of vancomycin and elucidation of its interaction with VanS monomers at clinical concentration. Scientific reports, 7 (1). http://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-12620-z
Adams, G.G., Alzahrani, Q., Jiwani, S.I., Meal, A., Morgan, P.S., Coffey, F., ... Gillis, R.B. (2017). Glargine and degludec: Solution behaviour of higher dose synthetic insulins. Scientific reports, 7 (1). http://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-06642-w
Gillis, R., Adams, G.G., Besong, D., Machová, E., Ebringerová, A., Rowe, A.J., ... Patel, T.R. (2017). Application of novel analytical ultracentrifuge analysis to solutions of fungal mannans. European Biophysics Journal, 46 (3), 235-245. http://doi.org/10.1007/s00249-016-1159-5
Kerrison, G., Gillis, R.B., Jiwani, S.I., Alzahrani, Q., Kok, S., Harding, S.E., ... Adams, G.G. (2017). The effectiveness of lifestyle adaptation for the prevention of prediabetes in adults: a systematic review. Journal of diabetes research, 2017. http://doi.org/10.1155/2017/8493145
Phillips-Jones, M.K., Channell, G., Kelsall, C.J., Hughes, C.S., Ashcroft, A.E., Patching, S.G., ... Harding, S.E. (2017). Hydrodynamics of the VanA-type VanS histidine kinase: an extended solution conformation and first evidence for interactions with vancomycin. Scientific Reports, 7 (1). http://doi.org/10.1038/srep46180
Varzakas, T., Alghamdi, A., Alghamdi, H., Linforth, R., Dinu, V., Besong, T.D., ... Connerton, I.F. (2016). The effect of thermal processing in oil on the macromolecular integrity and acrylamide formation from starch of three potato cultivars organically fertilized. Cogent Food & Agriculture, 2 (1), 1180950.
Harding, S.E., Gillis, R.B., & Adams, G.G. (2016). Assessing sedimentation equilibrium profiles in analytical ultracentrifugation experiments on macromolecules: from simple average molecular weight analysis to molecular weight distribution and interaction analysis. Biophysical Reviews, 8 (4), 299-308.
McHale, E., Braovac, S., Steindal, C.C., Gillis, R.B., Adams, G.G., Harding, S.E., ... Kutzke, H. (2016). Synthesis and characterisation of lignin-like oligomers as a bio-inspired consolidant for waterlogged archaeological wood. Pure and Applied Chemistry, 88 (10-11), 969-977. http://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2016-0814
Uluisik, S., Chapman, N.H., Smith, R., Poole, M., Adams, G., Gillis, R.B., ... Seymour, G.B. (2016). Corrigendum: Genetic improvement of tomato by targeted control of fruit softening. Nature biotechnology, 34 (10), 1072. http://doi.org/10.1038/nbt1016-1072d
Uluisik, S., Chapman, N.H., Smith, R., Poole, M., Adams, G., Gillis, R.B., ... Seymour, G.B. (2016). Genetic improvement of tomato by targeted control of fruit softening. Nature biotechnology, 34 (9), 950-952. http://doi.org/10.1038/nbt.3602
Harding, S.E., Adams, G.G., & Gillis, R.B. (2016). Molecular weight analysis of starches: which technique? Starch - Stärke, 68 (9-10), 846-853. http://doi.org/10.1002/star.201600042
Gillis, R.B., Adams, G.G., Alzahrani, Q., & Harding, S.E. (2016). A novel analytical ultracentrifugation based approach to the low resolution structure of gum arabic. Biopolymers, 105 (9), 618-625. http://doi.org/10.1002/bip.22823
Berwick, M.R., Slope, L.N., Smith, C.F., King, S.M., Newton, S.L., Gillis, R.B., ... Peacock, A.F.A. (2016). Location dependent coordination chemistry and MRI relaxivity, in de novo designed lanthanide coiled coils. Chemical science, 7 (3), 2207-2216. http://doi.org/10.1039/c5sc04101e
Sweeney, S.M., Bullen, G.A., Gillis, R.B., Adams, G.G., Rowe, A.J., Harding, S.E., ... Murphy, P.V. (2016). Coiled coil type neoglycoproteins presenting three lactose residues. Tetrahedron Letters, 57 (13), 1414-1417. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.tetlet.2016.02.005
Alzahrani, Q.E., Adams, G.G., Gillis, R.B., Besong, T.M.D., Kök, M.S., Fong, E., ... Harding, S.E. (2016). Matrix-free hydrodynamic study on the size distribution and conformation of three technical lignins from wood and non-wood. Holzforschung, 70 (2), 117-125. http://doi.org/10.1515/hf-2014-0318
Harding, S.E., Gillis, R.B., Almutairi, F., Erten, T., Kök, M.Ş., & Adams, G.G. (2015). Recent advances in the analysis of macromolecular interactions using the matrix-free method of sedimentation in the analytical ultracentrifuge. Biology, 4 (1), 237-250.
Harding, S.E., Adams, G.G., Almutairi, F., Alzahrani, Q., Erten, T., Kök, M.S., & Gillis, R.B. (2015). Ultracentrifuge Methods for the Analysis of Polysaccharides, Glycoconjugates, and Lignins. Methods in enzymology, 562, 391-439. http://doi.org/10.1016/bs.mie.2015.06.043
Gillis, R.B., Rowe, A.J., Adams, G.G., & Harding, S.E. (2014). A review of modern approaches to the hydrodynamic characterisation of polydisperse macromolecular systems in biotechnology. Biotechnology & genetic engineering reviews, 30 (1-2), 142-157. http://doi.org/10.1080/02648725.2014.994870
Schuck, P., Gillis, R.B., Besong, T.M.D., Almutairi, F., Adams, G.G., Rowe, A.J., & Harding, S.E. (2014). SEDFIT-MSTAR: molecular weight and molecular weight distribution analysis of polymers by sedimentation equilibrium in the ultracentrifuge. The Analyst, 139 (1), 79-92. http://doi.org/10.1039/c3an01507f
Nikolajski, M., Adams, G.G., Gillis, R.B., Besong, D.T., Rowe, A.J., Heinze, T., & Harding, S.E. (2014). Protein-like fully reversible tetramerisation and super-association of an aminocellulose. Scientific reports, 4, 3861. http://doi.org/10.1038/srep03861
Soshnikova, Y.M., Roman, S.G., Chebotareva, N.A., Baum, O.I., Obrezkova, M.V., Gillis, R.B., ... Lunin, V.V. (2013). Starch-modified magnetite nanoparticles for impregnation into cartilage. Journal of Nanoparticle Research, 15 (11). http://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-013-2092-5
Gillis, R.B., Adams, G.G., Heinze, T., Nikolajski, M., Harding, S.E., & Rowe, A.J. (2013). MultiSig: a new high-precision approach to the analysis of complex biomolecular systems. European biophysics journal : EBJ, 42 (10), 777-786. http://doi.org/10.1007/s00249-013-0924-y
Gillis, R.B., Adams, G.G., Wolf, B., Berry, M., Besong, T.M.D., Corfield, A., ... Harding, S.E. (2013). Molecular weight distribution analysis by ultracentrifugation: adaptation of a new approach for mucins. Carbohydrate polymers, 93 (1), 178-183. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2012.05.018
Kök, M.S., Gillis, R., Ang, S., Lafond, D., Tatham, A.S., Adams, G., & Harding, S.E. (2012). Can dietary fibre help provide safer food products for sufferers of gluten intolerance? A well-established biophysical probe may help towards providing an answer. BMC biophysics, 5, 10. http://doi.org/10.1186/2046-1682-5-10
Imran, S., Gillis, R.B., Kok, M.S., Harding, S.E., & Adams, G.G. (2012). Application and use of Inulin as a tool for therapeutic drug delivery. Biotechnology & genetic engineering reviews, 28, 33-45. http://doi.org/10.5661/bger-28-33
Conference papers
Sweeney, S., Bullen, G., Berwick, M., Gillis, R., Rowe, A., Adams, G., ... Murphy, P. (2015). Synthesis of trimeric coiled coils presenting lactose as glycoclusters. ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY, 250.
Book chapters
Harding, S.E., Adams, G.G., Gillis, R.B., Almutairi, F.M., & Morris, G.A. (2016). Aspects of the analytical ultracentrifuge determination of the molar mass distribution of polysaccharides. In Analytical Ultracentrifugation. (pp. 375-386). Springer, Tokyo
Harding, S.E., Abdelhameed, A.S., Gillis, R.B., Morris, G.A., & Adams, G.G. (2015). Characterization of capsular polysaccharides and their glycoconjugates by hydrodynamic methods. In Carbohydrate-Based Vaccines. (pp. 211-227). Humana Press, New York, NY
Other publications
Gillis, R.B. (2015). Protein polysaccharide complexes: permanent/nonpermanent interactions between polysaccharides and polypeptides. University of Nottingham