{{short description|Professor of Chemistry}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox scientist | name = Aline Miller | birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1975|10}} | birth_name = Aline Fiona Miller | alma_mater = Durham University<br />University of Strathclyde | workplaces = University of Manchester<br />University of Cambridge<br />University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology | fields = Self-assembly<br />Polymers<br />Peptides<br />Biomaterials<br />Fluid surfaces | thesis_title = Organisation and dynamics of well-defined graft copolymers at the air-water interface | thesis_url = http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/4226/ | thesis_year = 2000 | doctoral_advisor = Randal Richards<ref name=fphd/> | image = Aline Miller Lab Photo.jpg | caption = Aline Miller in 2018 | spouse = Alberto Saiani | website = {{URL|https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/aline.miller.html}} }}
'''Aline Fiona Miller''' (born 1975<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/g0KT9wBXUrLvgux1hMw8BexFyx0/appointments |publisher=Companies House |title=Aline Fiona SAIANI p |access-date=2021-12-06}}</ref>) is a Professor of Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Manchester. She specialises in the characterisation of polymer, biopolymer and peptides, using neutron and x-ray scattering, as well as the development of functionalised nanostructures for regenerative medicine and toxicology testing.
==Early life and education== Miller studied Chemistry at the University of Strathclyde and graduated in 1997.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/researchers/aline-saiani(85931757-b556-4da2-832b-b3bfa16f976e).html|title=Prof Aline Miller {{!}} The University of Manchester|website=www.research.manchester.ac.uk|access-date=2019-04-06}}</ref> She was an undergraduate exchange student at Franklin & Marshall College.<ref name=":0"/> Miller joined Durham University as a post graduate student, earning a PhD in 2000 under the supervision of Randal Richards.<ref name=":0"/> Miller worked on graft copolymers, which included polynorbornene and polyethylene oxide, and studied their organisation at air-water interfaces.<ref name=fphd>{{cite thesis|title=Organisation and dynamics of well-defined graft copolymers at the air-water interface|url=http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/4226/|publisher=Durham University|id={{EThOS|uk.bl.ethos.342916}}|year=2000|degree=PhD|first=Aline Fiona|last=Miller}}</ref> After completing her doctorate, Miller moved to New Hall, Cambridge, where she was appointed a Junior Research Fellow and worked with Athene Donald on cellulose.<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=http://www.polymersandpeptides.co.uk/|title=Polymers and Peptides|website=www.polymersandpeptides.co.uk|access-date=2019-04-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|author=Miller, Aline F.|author2=Donald, Athene M.|date=2003-05-01|title=Imaging of Anisotropic Cellulose Suspensions Using Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy|journal=Biomacromolecules|volume=4|issue=3|pages=510–517|doi=10.1021/bm0200837|pmid=12741764|issn=1525-7797|oclc=1015409507}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.soci.org/news/colloids/rideal-lecture-2014|title=Prof Athene Donald presents the 2014 Rideal Award Lecture|website=www.soci.org|access-date=2019-04-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|author=Miller, Aline F.|author2=Donald, Athene M.|date=2002-12-01|title=Surface and Interfacial Tension of Cellulose Suspensions|journal=Langmuir|volume=18|issue=26|pages=10155–10162|doi=10.1021/la0258300|issn=0743-7463}}</ref> She was inspired to have a career in research during this fellowship.<ref>{{citation|last=Science and Engineering at Manchester|title=Who or what inspired Prof Aline Miller's scientific interests?|date=2016-01-29|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A84V8YZJ7HQ|access-date=2019-04-06}}</ref>
==Research and career== Miller joined the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST) in 2002.<ref name=":2">{{cite web|url=https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/researchers/aline-saiani(85931757-b556-4da2-832b-b3bfa16f976e)/projects.html?period=running|title=Prof Aline Miller|publisher=University of Manchester|access-date=2019-04-06}}</ref> She was made a full Professor in 2014.<ref name=":0"/> She currently works in CEAS - Academic & Research Department of Chemical Engineering & Analytical Science at the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology. She investigates the behaviour of molecules at different interfaces, including the air-liquid and liquid-liquid interface. Surfactants and polymers can be used to promote or inhibit the crystallisation of small molecules, for example the use of hydroxyl based polymers in the crystallisation of ice cream. To mimic how fish use macromolecules to stop their blood freezing, Miller combines antifreeze proteins with ice crystals.<ref name=":2"/> In 2004 Miller established the University of Manchester Polymers & Peptides Research Group.<ref name=":1"/> Here she works on the characterisation of polymer, biopolymer and peptides, using neutron and x-ray scattering. The in-depth characterisation of these materials allows Miller to tailor them for specific applications.<ref name=":2"/>
Miller also works in biomedical engineering, creating three-dimensional scaffolds through the control of proteins and peptides.<ref name=":2"/><ref>{{cite journal|author=Yan, Hui|author2=Saiani, Alberto|author3=Gough, Julie E.|author4=Miller, Aline F.|date=2006-10-01|title=Thermoreversible Protein Hydrogel as Cell Scaffold|journal=Biomacromolecules|volume=7|issue=10|pages=2776–2782|doi=10.1021/bm0605560|pmid=17025352|issn=1525-7797|oclc=922375857}}</ref> She explores the relationship between mesoscopic structure, material properties and cell response.<ref>{{citation|last=Science and Engineering at Manchester|title=What is Prof Aline Miller researching?|date=2016-01-29|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCYhjLouEcY|access-date=2019-04-06}}</ref><ref>{{citation|author=Manchester BIOGEL|title=Manchester BIOGEL Interview with Aline Miller|date=2018-12-11|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YUECXoxsXw|access-date=2019-04-06}}</ref> She has studied how proteins self-assemble, including what causes them to unfold and form fibril structures.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://personalpages.manchester.ac.uk/staff/a.saiani/Project_Lyzozyme.htm|title=Polymers&Peptides Research Group Website|website=personalpages.manchester.ac.uk|access-date=2019-04-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://personalpages.manchester.ac.uk/staff/a.saiani/Project_Fmoc.htm|title=Polymers&Peptides Research Group Website|website=personalpages.manchester.ac.uk|access-date=2019-04-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|author=Donald, Athene M.|author2=Dobson, Christopher M.|author3=Dunlop, Iain E.|author4=Miller, Aline F.|author5=MacPhee, Cait E.|author6=Krebs, Mark R. H.|date=2004-10-05|title=The formation of spherulites by amyloid fibrils of bovine insulin|journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences|volume=101|issue=40|pages=14420–14424|doi=10.1073/pnas.0405933101|issn=0027-8424|pmid=15381766|oclc=722879264|pmc=521966|bibcode=2004PNAS..10114420K|doi-access=free }}</ref> The morphology (roughness, porosity) and mechanical properties (such as Young's modulus and viscosity) can be controlled through self-assembly.<ref name=":1"/> The self-assembling peptides can be conjugated with polymers that are sensitive to pH and temperature. Through the synthesis of short peptides with various amino acid sequences the Miller group are studying the self-assembly of Beta sheets.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://personalpages.manchester.ac.uk/staff/a.saiani/Project_Enzyme.html|title=Polymers&Peptides Research Group Website|website=personalpages.manchester.ac.uk|access-date=2019-04-06}}</ref> She has developed a biocompatible, biodegradable cardiac patch, created from a thick porous scaffold coated with a material that mimics the extracellular matrix.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.escholar.manchester.ac.uk/item/?pid=uk-ac-man-scw:256234|title=New scaffold for cardiac patch (Manchester eScholar Services - The University of Manchester)|website=www.escholar.manchester.ac.uk|access-date=2019-04-06}}</ref> She also studies the degradation mechanism of these materials.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Vey, Elisabeth Vey|author2=Roger, Caroline|author3=Meehan, Liz|author4=Booth, Jonathan|author5=Claybourn, Mike|author6=Miller, Aline F.|author7=Saiani, Alberto|title=Degradation mechanism of poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid block copolymer cast films in phosphate buffer solution|journal=Polymer Degradation and Stability|volume=93|issue=10|year=2008|pages=1869–1876|doi=10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2008.07.018}}</ref>
Miller was awarded a small grant from the University of Manchester to develop the synthesis of peptide-based hydrogels.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mib.ac.uk/business/commercialisation/|title=Commercialisation {{!}} Manchester Institute of Biotechnology|website=www.mib.ac.uk|access-date=2019-04-06}}</ref> The synthetic peptide hydrogels were so successful that she set up the spin-out company ''PeptiGelDesign'', a group which worked to commercialise hydrogel technologies.<ref name=":3">{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapid=331504127|title=PeptiGelDesign Ltd.: Private Company Information - Bloomberg|website=www.bloomberg.com|access-date=2019-04-06}}</ref> Since 2008 ''PeptiGelDesig''n have raised over £6 million in funding.<ref name=":3"/> Recognising the reach and potential of ''PeptiGelDesign,'' the company relaunched as ''Manchester BIOGEL'' in 2018, continuing to offer peptide-based hydrogels amongst other biomaterials.<ref name=":4">{{cite web|url=https://manchesterbiogel.com/peptigeldesign-relaunches-as-manchester-biogel|title=PeptiGelDesign relaunches as Manchester BIOGEL|last=MancBIOGEL|date=2018-06-18|website=Manchester BIOGEL|access-date=2019-04-06}}</ref> The hydrogels can be used to improve the quality of drug toxicity testing, DNA sensing and regenerative medicine.<ref name=":4"/><ref>{{cite journal|title=Frontiers {{!}} A postoperative treatment for Barrett's oesophagus using an injectable, therapeutic peptide hydrogel|author=Kumar, Deepak|author2=Workman, Victoria L.|author3=O'Brien, Marie|author4=Felicity, Rose|author5=Miller, Aline|author6=Saiani, Alberto|author7=Gough, Julie E.|year=2016|doi=10.3389/conf.fbioe.2016.01.00741|doi-access=free}}</ref>
===Awards and honours=== Her awards and honours include;
*1995 University of Strathclyde William Marr Dux Award *1996 University of Strathclyde Dean's Honours Award<ref name=":5">{{cite web|url=https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/researchers/aline-saiani(85931757-b556-4da2-832b-b3bfa16f976e)/prizes.html|title=Prof Aline Miller - Prizes|publisher=University of Manchester|access-date=2019-04-06}}</ref> *1996 University of Strathclyde Hackman Scholarship Research Award<ref name=":5"/> *1997 Sir George Beilby Memorial Medal<ref name=":5"/> *1999 Imperial Chemical Industries-Dupont Prize<ref name=":5"/> *2001 New Hall Junior Research Fellowship<ref name=":6">{{cite web|url=https://royalsociety.org/topics-policy/diversity-in-science/parent-carer-scientist/aline-miller/|title=Professor Aline Miller|publisher=Royal Society|access-date=2019-04-06}}</ref><ref name=":5"/> *2004 Exxon Mobil Teaching Fellowship<ref>{{cite web|url=https://personalpages.manchester.ac.uk/staff/a.saiani/Group_Members.htm|title=Polymers&Peptides Research Group Website|website=personalpages.manchester.ac.uk|access-date=2019-04-06}}</ref> *2008 Institute of Physics Polymer Physics Group and American Physical Society Division of Polymer Physics Young Researchers Award<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iop.org/activity/groups/subject/pol/prize/page_40832.html|title=PPG/DPOLY Polymer Lecture Exchange|website=www.iop.org|access-date=2019-04-06}}</ref> *2008 Royal Society of Chemistry Macro Group UK Young Researchers Medal<ref>{{cite web|url=https://macrogroup.org.uk/past-award-winners/|title=Past Award Winners|date=2016-04-20|website=Macro Group UK|access-date=2019-04-06|archive-date=22 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222134652/https://macrogroup.org.uk/past-award-winners/|url-status=dead}}</ref> *2014 Philip Leverhulme Prize for Engineering<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/prizes/2014-philip-leverhulme-prize-for-engineering(44dc84af-4639-4859-a820-d8a0128a37d0).html|title=2014 Philip Leverhulme Prize for Engineering|publisher= University of Manchester|access-date=2019-04-06}}</ref> *2014 Finalist for the WISE Campaign Research Award<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.worldbytes.org/wise-research-award-professor-aline-f-miller/|title=WORLDbytes – The School of Citizen TV » WISE Research Award: Professor Aline F. Miller|access-date=2019-04-06}}</ref>
===Personal life=== Miller is married to Alberto Saiani, a materials scientist at the University of Manchester. They have three children.<ref name=":6"/>{{dead link|date=January 2023}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{GoogleScholar|B-ZpvnkAAAAJ}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Miller, Aline}} Category:1975 births Category:Living people Category:Alumni of the University of Strathclyde Category:Academics of the University of Cambridge Category:Academics of the University of Manchester Category:Academics of the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology Category:Polymer physics Category:British physicists Category:British women physicists Category:British bioengineers Category:Alumni of Durham University Graduate Society