Personal profile
Research interests
The research interests of Dr Lynn Paterson's group fall under the broad theme of biophotonics. We use the force of light to pick up and move microscopic particles (optical manipulation), microfluidics, imaging and nanoparticle sensors and apply these techniques to the life sciences in areas such as biosensing, biodiscovery and the development of biomedical devices.
Dr Paterson's group website can be found here.
We are based in the Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biophysics and Bioengineering at Heriot Watt University in the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences.
Biography
Lynn Paterson is Associate Professor in the Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biophysics and Bioengineering and joined Heriot-Watt University in July 2007 as an RCUK Academic Fellow. Lynn has a BSc from Glasgow University and was awarded her PhD from St Andrews University. Lynn applies optics and photonics technologies to the biomedical life sciences. Her research interests are using optical forces to isolate single biological cells, optical tweezers, optical fibre traps, optical tweezer microrheology, microfluidics with integrated optics, nanoparticle sensors and Raman microspectroscopy.
Roles & Responsibilities
Deputy Director of EPS Postgraduate Research
Year four Physics teaching co-ordinator
Lecturer in Physics department (year 1 Mechanics, year 5 Biophysics)
Physics undergraduate projects co-ordinator
Research Group Contact Details
Dr Lynn Paterson
Room DB1.32
David Brewster Building
School of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Heriot Watt University
Edinburgh EH14 4AS
Email: [email protected]
Web: https://biophotonics.hw.ac.uk/
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
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SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy
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SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production
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SDG 14 Life Below Water
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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2D metal-organic framework Cu3(HHTP)2 composite electrode for flexible energy storage applications
Prince, M., Kanathedath, J., Paul, F., Markapudi, P. R., Beg, M., Paterson, L., Desmulliez, M. P. Y., Pillai, S. C. & Manjakkal, L., 1 Mar 2025, In: Journal of Power Sources. 631, 236214.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile7 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus)237 Downloads (Pure) -
A perspective on 25 years of advances as reported in the Journal of Optics
Forbes, A., Swilliam, M., Forbes, K. A., Shen, Y., He, C., Xiao, S., Götte, J. B., Samanta, G. K., Tahara, T., Malomed, B., Astratov, V. N., Rosales-Guzmán, C., Vasa, P., Bermel, P., Wubs, M., Borrego-Varillas, R., Vozzi, C., Liu, Y., Rowland, C. & Pappalardo, E. & 5 others, , 10 Jun 2025, In: Journal of Optics. 27, 6, 20 p., 060202 .Research output: Contribution to journal › Editorial › peer-review
Open AccessFile2 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus)74 Downloads (Pure) -
Far-ultraviolet light causes direct DNA damage in human lung cells and tissues
Valanciute, A., Ross, C. A., Burden, A., Mohanan, S. M. P. C., Sabbah, M., Ghobrial, J. M. W., Dickson, S., Loh, H. X., Williams, E., Ali, A., Brahms, C., Akram, A. R., Paterson, L., Jones, N. K., Mills, B., Travers, J. C., Thomson, R. R. & Dhaliwal, K., 24 May 2025, In: Scientific Reports. 15, 18055.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Link opens in a new tab Citation (Scopus)17 Downloads (Pure) -
OptoRheo: Live imaging of 3D cell cultures combined with local biomechanical sensing
Mendonca, T., Lis-Slimak, K., Matheson, A. B., Smith, M. G., Anane-Adjei, A. B., Ashworth, J. C., Cavanagh, R., Paterson, L., Dalgarno, P. A., Alexander, C., Tassieri, M., Merry, C. L. R. & Wright, A. J., 22 Sept 2025, In: EPJ Web of Conferences. 335, 04013.Research output: Contribution to journal › Conference article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Downloads (Pure) -
Vector Vortex Beam-Enabled Edge Microscopy with Dynamic Orientation Selectivity
Ahmed, H., Ansari, M. A., Paterson, L., Yang, X. & Chen, X., 17 Dec 2025, In: ACS Photonics. 12, 12, p. 7013-7019 7 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile3 Downloads (Pure)
Activities
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Let there be light: Development and modelling of a novel illumination system to improve light availability, biomass production and pigment yield in photobioreactors
Paterson, L. (Examiner)
9 Jan 2026Activity: Examination and Supervision › External Examiner
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Journal of Optics (Institute of Physics) Focus Issue on Optical Trapping Technologies for Biological Applications
Paterson, L. (Organiser), Wright, A. J. (Organiser) & Mendonca, T. (Organiser)
2024 → …Activity: Other
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Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition
Paterson, L. (Participant)
2 Jul 2024 → 7 Jul 2024Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participation in Festival or Exhibition
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External PhD examination - Smart Whole Stent Sensor Devices for Restenosis and Thrombosis
Paterson, L. (Examiner)
17 Apr 2024Activity: Examination and Supervision › External Examiner
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Girls into STEM 2024
Paterson, L. (Speaker) & Burden, A. (Speaker)
7 Feb 2024Activity: Talk or presentation › School Outreach
Press/Media
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Optoforce - bespoke new instrument for optical imaging, micro-mechanical-sensing and the chemical perturbation of 3D cell cultures
Paterson, L., Dalgarno, P. A., Matheson, A., Alexander, C., Tassieri, M., Wright, A. J., Mendonca, T., Merry, C., Anane-Adjei, A. & Lis-Slimak, K.
31/05/21
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Research
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Physics Nobel prize won by Arthur Ashkin, Gérard Mourou and Donna Strickland
2/10/18
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Research
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Multimodal Optical Microscopy Instrument To Observe Cancer Cells In 4D
10/09/18
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Research
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