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Dr Donal Leech B.SC., PH.D
Contact Details
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Biography:
| Dónal Leech received a 1st class honours B.Sc. in Analytical Science from the then National Institute for Higher Education, Dublin (now Dublin City University) in 1988. He was awarded the Dublin Millennium Scholarship that year by the Irish government to allow him to pursue his Ph.D. studies on Electroanalytical Chemistry under the co-direction of Prof. M. R. Smyth and Prof. J.G. Vos at DCU. A six-month research exchange visit to the group of Prof. J. Wang at New Mexico State University (Wang group is now in San Diego) during his Ph.D. studies proved highly motivational. Following graduation in 1991, Dónal joined the group of Prof. G.A. Rechnitz at the Hawaii Biosensor Laboratory, University of Hawaii for post-doctoral research on the electrophysiology of crustacean neuronal structures and their application to biosensing. He was appointed Professeur Adjoint (Assistant Professor) in the Department of Chemistry of the Université de Montréal in 1993, setting up an active research effort in Electroanalysis and Sensors. He joined NUI, Galway in 1997 as a Lecturer in Physical Chemistry. His research and teaching interests focus on bioanalytical chemistry, with an emphasis on electrochemical methods, surface modification and characterisation, sensors and assays. Dónal is active in professional societies, elected a Fellow of the Institute of Chemistry of Ireland in 2004, and Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry in 2005. He is also a member of the Electrochemical Society, Bioelectrocemistry Society and the International Society of Electrochemistry. He participates in Academic administration, being a past Secretary and Chair of the NUI, Galway branch of the Irish Federation of University Teachers, acting as Vice-Dean of Research of the Faculty of Science 2004-2009, and was a member of the Governing Authority of the University from 2005-2009. |
Research Interests
| The Biomolecular Electronics Research Laboratory, Director Dr. Dónal Leech, was established in NUI, Galway in 1997. Research in the laboratory focuses on the preparation and characterisation of electron-transfer catalysts and modified electrode surfaces directed to eventual application as biomolecular electrochemical detection platforms and devices. The research laboratory is located in the Ryan Institute of the National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG), and the laboratory is affiliated to the School of Chemistry and National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Sciences. The fundamental reactions that form the basis of most of our studies are electron transfer reactions. We have a particular interest in electron transfer reactions at the solid/liquid interface and in harnessing biomolecular electron transfer events. The research programme is aimed at developing eventual applications in bioelectrochemical diagnostics and sensors, biomolecular interaction platforms, biofuel cell prototypes, bio- and electrochemical bleaching methodologies, and trace metal monitoring systems in ocean environments. We have in addition a research effort that seeks to underpin these areas of application, focused on synthesis and characterisation of electrode modifiers, separations science and surface analytical techniques, and electrochemical and biochemical methods. Should you require any further information on our research programme please browse our publications, or contact Dr. Dónal Leech |
Peer Reviewed Journals
| Garrett,D.J., Jenkins, P., Polson, M.I.J., Leech, D., Baronian, K.H.R., Downard, A.J. (2011) 'Diazonium salt derivatives of osmium bipyridine complexes: Electrochemical grafting and characterisation of modified surfaces'. Electrochimica Acta, 56 (5):2213-2220. [DOI] [Details] |
| Catal,T., Kavanagh, P., O'Flaherty, V., Leech, D. (2011) 'Generation of electricity in microbial fuel cells at sub-ambient temperatures'. Journal Of Power Sources, 196 (5):2676-2681. [DOI] [Details] |
| Rawson, F.J., Garrett, D.J., Leech, D., Downard, A.J., Baronian, K.H.R. (2011) 'Electron transfer from Proteus vulgaris to a covalently assembled, single walled carbon nanotube electrode functionalised with osmium bipyridine complex: Application to a whole cell biosensor'. Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 26 (5):2383-2389. [DOI] [Details] |
| Niedziolka-Jonsson, J., Boland, S., Leech, D., Boukherroub, R., Szunerits, S. (2010) 'Preparation and reactivity of carboxylic acid-terminated boron-doped diamond electrodes'. Electrochimica Acta, 55 (3). [Details] |
| Hajdukiewicz,J., Boland, S., Kavanagh, P., Leech, D. (2010) 'An enzyme-amplified amperometric DNA hybridisation assay using DNA immobilised in a carboxymethylated dextran film anchored to a graphite surface'. Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 25 (5):1037-1042. [DOI] [Details] |
| Zafar,M.N., Tasca, F., Boland, S., Kujawa, M., Patel, I., Peterbauer, C.K., Leech, D., Gorton, L. (2010) 'Wiring of pyranose dehydrogenase with osmium polymers of different redox potentials'. Bioelectrochemistry, 80 (1). [Details] |
| Hajdukiewicz,J., Boland, S., Kavanagh, P., Nowicka, A., Stojek, Z., Leech, D. (2009) 'Enzyme-amplified amperometric detection of DNA using redox mediating films on gold microelectrodes'. Electroanalysis, 21 (3-5). [Details] |
| Kavanagh P., Boland S., Jenkins P., Leech D. (2009) 'Performance of a Glucose/O2 Enzymatic Biofuel Cell Containing a Mediated Melanocarpus albomyces Laccase Cathode in a Physiological Buffer'. Fuel Cells, 9 (1). [Details] |
Boland, S.,Jenkins, P.,Kavanagh, P.,Leech, D. (2009) 'Biocatalytic fuel cells: A comparison of surface pre-treatments for anchoring biocatalytic redox films on electrode surfaces'. Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry, 626 (1-21-2):111-115.  [Details] |
| Boland,S., Foster, K., Leech, D. (2009) 'A stability comparison of redox-active layers produced by chemical coupling of an osmium redox complex to pre-functionalized gold and carbon electrodes'. Electrochimica Acta, 54 (7). [Details] |
| Boland,S., Barriere, F., Leech, D. (2008) 'Designing stable redox-active surfaces: Chemical attachment of an osmium complex to glassy carbon electrodes prefunctionalized by electrochemical reduction of an in Situ -generated aryldiazonium cation'. Langmuir, 24 (12). [Details] |
| Leech,D, Pellissier,M, Barrière,F. (2008) 'Book Chapter: Powering fuel cells through biocatalysis”'. Electrochemical Sensors, Biosensors and their Biomedical Applications, :385-410. [DOI] [Details] |
| Kavanagh,P., Jenkins, P., Leech, D. (2008) 'Electroreduction of O2 at a mediated Melanocarpus albomyces laccase cathode in a physiological buffer'. Electrochemistry Communications, 10 (7). [Details] |
| Lynch, M.,Hehir, S.,Kavanagh, P.,Leech, D.,O'Shaughnessy, J.,Carty, M.P.,Aldabbagh, F. (2007) 'Synthesis by radical cyclization and cytotoxicity of highly potent bioreductive alicyclic ring fused [1,2-a]benzimidazolequinones'. Chemistry - A European Journal, 13 (11). [Details] |
| Knight,S., Cave,R., Morley,N., Leech,D. (2006) 'Temporal monitoring of total dissovled copper in surface seawater of Galway Bay, Ireland, using a mobile voltammetric analysis system'. PROCEEDINGS OF ESAI ENVIRON 2005, :8-12. [Details] |
| Kavanagh, P., Leech,D. (2006) 'Redox polymer and probe DNA tethered to gold electrodes for enzyme-amplified amperometric detection of DNA hybridization'. Analytical Chemistry, 78 (8). [Details] |
| Barriere,F., Kavanagh, P., Leech, D. (2006) 'A laccase-glucose oxidase biofuel cell prototype operating in a physiological buffer'. Electrochimica Acta, 51 (24). [Details] |
| Knight,S., Morley, N., Leech, D., Cave, R. (2006) 'Mobile voltammetric laboratory for ship-board and shore-based analyses of dissolved copper'. Environmental Chemistry, 3 (6). [Details] |
| Rochefort D., Leech D., Bourbonnais R. (2004) 'Electron transfer mediator systems for bleaching of paper pulp'. Green Chemistry, 6 (1). [Details] |
| Barriere, F,Ferry, Y,Rochefort, D,Leech, D (2004) 'Targetting redox polymers as mediators for laccase oxygen reduction in a membrane-less biofuel cell'. Electrochemistry Communications, 6 :237-241. [DOI] [Details] |
| Kavanagh, P,Leech, D (2004) 'Improved synthesis of 4,4 '-diamino-2,2 '-bipyridine from 4,4 '-dinitro-2,2 '-bipyridine-N,N '-dioxide'. Tetrahedron Letters, 45 :121-123. [DOI] [Details] |
| O'Shaughnessy,J.,Cunningham, D.,Kavanagh, P.,Leech, D.,McArdle, P.,Aldabbagh, F. (2004) 'Synthesis of benzimidazolequinone analogue of cyclopropamitosene antitumor agents'. Synlett, (13):2382-2384. [DOI] [Details] |
| Liu, S., Leech, D., Ju,H. (2003) 'Application of colloidal gold in protein immobilization, electron transfer, and biosensing'. ANALYTICAL LETTERS, (36):1-19. [Details] |
| Pérusse, P., Leech,D. (2003) 'A voltammetric assay of antioxidants and inhibitors of soybean lipoxygenase'. ELECTROANALYSIS, * (15):573-576. [Details] |
| Grogan, C,Raiteri, R,O'Connor, GM,Glynn, TJ,Cunningham, V,Kane, M,Charlton, M,Leech, D (2002) 'Characterisation of an antibody coated microcantilever as a potential immuno-based biosensor'. Biosensors & Bioelectronics, 17 :201-207. [DOI] [Details] |
| Bourbonnais, R., Rochefort, D., Paice, M.G., Leech, D. (2001) 'Development of stable redox complexes to mediate delignification of kraft pulp by laccase'. ACS Symposium Series, 785 . [Details] |
| Bourbonnais,R.,Rochefort, D.,Paice, M.G., Renaud, S.,Leech, D. (2000) 'Transition metal complexes: A new class of laccase mediators for pulp bleaching'. TAPPI Journal, 83 (10). [Details] |
| Perusse,P., Leech, D. (2000) 'Dual electrode cyclic voltammetry under computer control using graphical programming of a bipotentiostat'. Instrumentation Science and Technology, 28 (1). [Details] |
| Ju,H., Leech, D. (2000) 'Electrochemical study of a metallothionein modified gold disk electrode and its action on Hg2+ cations'. Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry, 484 (2). [Details] |
| Ni,J.-A., Ju, H.-X., Chen H.-Y., Leech, D. (1999) 'Amperometric determination of epinephrine with an osmium complex and Nafion double-layer membrane modified electrode'. Analytica Chimica Acta, 378 (1-3). [Details] |
| Ju, H., Leech, D. (1999) 'Effect of electrolytes on the electrochemical behaviour of 11- (ferrocenylcarbonyloxy)undecanethiol SAMs on gold disk electrodes'. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 1 (7). [Details] |
| Voicu, R., Ellis, T.J., Ju, H-X., Leech,D. (1999) 'Adsorption and Desorption of Electroactive Self-Assembled Thiolate Monolayers on Gold'. LANGMUIR, * (15):8170-8177. [Details] |
| Ju, H., Ni, J., Gong, Y., Chen, H., Leech,D. (1999) 'Electrocatalytical oxidation and determination of dopamine at redox polymer/Nafion modified electrodes'. Analytical Letters, 32 (15). [Details] |
| Ni, J.-A., Ju, H.-X., Chen, H.-Y., Leech, D. (1999) 'Electrocatalytic Oxidation and Trace Determination of Catecholamine Neurotransmitters at Osmium Complex Polymer and Nafion Dual-layer Membrane Carbon-base Electrode'. Kao Teng Hsueh Hsiao Hua Heush Hsueh Pao/ Chemical Journal of Chinese Universities, 20 (2). [Details] |
| Bourbonnais,R., Leech, D., Paice, M.G. (1998) 'Electrochemical analysis of the interactions of laccase mediators with lignin model compounds'. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - General Subjects, 1379 (3). [Details] |
| Bourbonnais,R.,Paice, Michael G., Leech, D.,Rochefort, D. (1998) 'Laccase/mediator bleaching of kraft pulps: Identification of mediator active species and their role in oxidation of residual lignin subunits'. Proceedings of the International Conference on Biotechnology in the Pulp and Paper Industry, 1 . [Details] |
| Ju,H., Leech, D. (1998) 'Host-guest interaction at a self-assembled monolayer/solution interface: An electrochemical analysis of the inclusion of 11-(ferrocenylcarbonyloxy)undecanethiol by cyclodextrins'. Langmuir, 14 (2). [Details] |
| Leech,D. (1998) 'Optimisation of a reagentless laccase electrode for the detection of the inhibitor azide'. Analyst, 123 (10). [Details] |
| Daigle, F., Trudeau, F., Robinson, G., Smyth,M.R., Leech, D. (1998) 'Mediated reagentless enzyme inhibition electrodes'. Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 13 (3-4). [Details] |
| Ju, H., Leech, D. (1997) 'Electrochemistry of poly(vinylferrocene) formed by direct electrochemical reduction at a glassy carbon electrode'. Journal of the Chemical Society - Faraday Transactions, 93 (7). [Details] |
| Ju, H., Leech, D. (1997) 'Os(bpy)2(PVI)10Cl]Cl polymer-modified carbon fiber electrodes for the electrocatalytic oxidation of NADH'. Analytica Chimica Acta, 345 (1-3). [Details] |
| Trudeau, F., Daigle, F., Leech, D. (1997) 'Reagentless Mediated Laccase Electrode for the Detection of Enzyme Modulators'. Analytical Chemistry, 69 (5). [Details] |
| Daigle, F., Leech, D. (1997) 'Reagentless Tyrosinase Enzyme Electrodes: Effects of Enzyme Loading, Electrolyte pH, Ionic Strength, and Temperature'. Analytical Chemistry, 69 (20). [Details] |
| Trudeau, F., Daigle, F., Leech, D. (1996) 'Reagentless inhibition enzyme electrodes'. Transactions of the Annual Meeting of the Society for Biomaterials in conjunction with the International Biomaterials Symposium, 2 . [Details] |
| Doherty,A.P., Stanley, M.A., Leech, D., Vos, J.G. (1996) 'Oxidative detection of nitrite at an electrocatalytic [Ru(bipy)2poly-(4-vinylpyridine)10Cl]Cl electrochemical sensor applied for the flow injection determination of nitrate using a Cu/Cd redactor column'. Analytica Chimica Acta, 319 (1-2). [Details] |
| Adeyoju,O., Iwuoha, E.I., Smyth, M.R., Leech, D. (1996) 'High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of phenols using a tyrosinase-based amperometric biosensor detection system'. Analyst, 121 (12). [Details] |
| Leech,D. (1994) 'Affinity biosensors'. Chemical Society Reviews, 23 (3). [Details] |
| Leech,D., Rechnitz, C.A. (1993) 'Biomagnetic neurosensors'. Analytical Chemistry, 65 (22). [Details] |
| Leech,D., Rechnitz, G.A. (1993) 'Crayfish walking leg neuronal biosensor for the detection of pyrazinamide and selected local anesthetics'. Analytica Chimica Acta, 274 (1). [Details] |
| Franks, J., Harris, S.J., McKervey, M.A., Bahari, M.S., Criddle, W.J., Thomas, J.D.R., Kane, M., Dean, J.R., Hitchen, S.M., Dowle, C.J., Tranter, R.L., Marshall, J., Brown, I., Garden, L., Leech, D., Wang, J., Smyth,M.R., Arrigan, D.W.M., Svehla, G. (1992) 'Analysis of inorganic solids by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma spectrometry'. Analytical Proceedings, 29 (1). [Details] |
| O'Shea, T.J.,Leech, D.,Smyth, M.R., Vos, J.G. (1992) 'Determination of nitrite based on mediated oxidation at a carbon paste electrode modified with a ruthenium polymer'. Talanta, 39 (4). [Details] |
| Wang, J.,Leech, D.,Ozsoz, M.,Martinez, S.,Smyth, M.R. (1991) 'One-step fabrication of glucose sensors based on entrapment of glucose oxidase within poly(ester-sulfonic acid) coatings'. Analytica Chimica Acta, 245 (2). [Details] |
| Leech D., Forster R.J., Smyth M.R., Vos J.G. (1991) 'Effect of composition of polymer backbone on spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of ruthenium(ii) bis(2,2?-bipyridyl)-containing 4-vinylpyridine/styrene copolymers'. Journal of Materials Chemistry, 1 (4). [Details] |
| Leech D., Wang J., Smyth M.R. (1990) 'Electrocatalytic detection of streptomycin and related antibiotics at ruthenium dioxide modified graphite - Epoxy composite electrodes'. Analyst, 115 (11). [Details] |
Conference Paper
| Leech,D, Bol,S. (2006) Towards a glucose-O2 biofuel cell working in physiological conditions. 4th Biennial Conference on Analytical Sciences in Ireland. Conference Paper [Details] |
| Leech,D., Barrier,F., Kavanagh,P. (2006) Towards a laccase-Glucose Oxidase Biofuel Cell Prototype. Electrochemical Society Spring Meeting. Conference Paper [Details] |
| Leech,D.,Pellissier,M.,Barriere,F., Kavanagh,P. (2006) Towards a glucose-O2 biofuel cell working in physiological conditions. ESEAC2006, the 11th International Conference on Electroanalysis. Conference Paper [Details] |
| Leech, D et al. (2003) Biocatalysts in fuel cells-towards an implantable power source. Electrochemical Society Spring Meeting. Conference Paper [Details] |
| Leech, D et al. (2003) Chemistry Research in the Higher Education Sector: Luxury or Necessity?. 55th Irish Universities Chemistry Research Colloquiem, Heads of Chemistry Departments * TCD. Conference Paper [Details] |
| Leech, D et al. (2003) Biocatalysts in Fuel Cells: Towards an Implantable Power Source. Electrochemical Society Autumn Meeting. Conference Paper [Details] |
| Leech, D et al. (2002) Laccase Reduction of Molecular Oxygen: Applications to Sensing, Paper Bleaching and Fuel Cells. 9th International Conference on Electroanalysis: European Society for ElectroAnalytical Chemistry. Conference Paper [Details] |
| Leech, D et al. (2001) Enzymes, Electrons, Electrodes: Environmentally Benign bleaching Agents. 10th Beijing Conference and Exhibition on Instrumental Analysis. Conference Paper [Details] |
| Leech, D et al. (2000) Reagentless Enzyme Electrodes for the Detection of Enzyme Modulators. Electrochem 2000. Conference Paper [Details] |
| Leech, D et al. (2000) 219th American Chemical Society National Meeting,. Development of Stable Redox Complexes to Mediate Delignification of Kraft Pulp by Laccase * San Francisco, CA. Conference Paper [Details] |
| Leech, et al. (2000) Use of Potassium Octacyanomolybdate as a Laccase Mediator for Lignin Oxidation. Pacifichem 2000 * Honolulu, USA. Conference Paper [Details] |
| Leech, D et al. (1999) Mediated Enzymatic and Electrochemical Oxidation of Kraft Pulp Lignin: A Study Using Model Compounds. Society for Analytical Chemistry Conference SAC9. Conference Paper [Details] |
| Leech, D et al. (1999) Formation, Characterisation and Sensor Applications of Electroactive Self-Assembled Monolayers. EURESCO Conference - Fundamental Aspects of Surface Science: Structure and Dynamics of Organic and Biological Molecules at Interfaces *. Conference Paper [Details] |
| Leech, D et al. (1999) Electrochemical Analysis of Laccase/Mediator Bleaching. 217th American Chemical Society National Meeting. Conference Paper [Details] |
| Leech, D et al. (1999) Electrochemical Receptor-Ligand Binding Assays and Sensors. Electrochemical Society Autumn Meeting. Conference Paper [Details] |
| Leech, D et al. (1997) Reagentless Enzyme Electrodes for Inhibitor Sensing. Electrochemical Society Spring meeting. Conference Paper [Details] |
Conference Poster
| Leech,D., Reynolds,J., Bol,S. (2006) Redox polymer modified electrodes as electrocatalysts for electrochemical sensors and biofuel cells. 58th Irish Universities Chemistry Research Colloquium. Conference Poster [Details] |
| Leech, D et al. (2004) Shipboard Voltammetric Determination of Dissolved Copper for Tracing Water Movements off the West Coast of Ireland. Environ2004: 14th Irish Environmental Researchers' Colloquium *. Conference Poster [Details] |
| Leech, D et al. (2003) Biocatalysts in fuel cells-towards an implantable power source. XVIIth International Symposium on Bioelectrochemistry and Bioenergetics. Conference Poster [Details] |
| Leech, D et al. (2003) Reagentless affinity sensors based on antibodies or DNA co-immobilized with redox polymers. Electrochemical Society Spring Meeting. Conference Poster [Details] |
| Leech, D et al. (2003) Reagentless affinity sensors based on antibodies or DNA co-immobilized with redox polymers. XVIIth International Symposium on Bioelectrochemistry and Bioenergetics. Conference Poster [Details] |
| Leech, D et al. (2003) Biopower sources: fuels for the future. EPA Conference PATHWAYS to a Sustainable Future¿ * Royal Hospital~ Kilmainham. Conference Poster [Details] |
| Leech, D et al. (2003) Reagentless affinity sensors based on antibodies or DNA co-immobilized with redox polymers. 55th Irish Universities Chemistry Research Colloquiem. Conference Poster [Details] |
| Leech, D et al. (1999) Reagentless Voltammetric Sensors based on Redox Polymer-Modified Electrode Catalysis. Gordon Research Conference on Bioanalytical Sensors. Conference Poster [Details] |
| Leech, D et al. (1998) A Coupled Capillary Electrophoresis-Electrochemical Detection System for The Analysis of Carbohydrates. 9th Annual Frederick Conference on Capillary Electrophoresis. Conference Poster [Details] |
Invited papers
| Leech,D. (2006) Harnessing bioelectrocatalytic oxygen reduction: from biosensing to biobleaching. Invited papers [Details] |
| Leech, D et al. (2003) Chemistry Research in the Higher Education Sector: Luxury or Necessity?. Institute of Chemistry of Ireland Annual Congress. Invited papers [Details] |
Workshops
| Leech,D. (2006) Redox mediation and laccase: from biosensors to biobleaching. ESEAC2006, the 11th International Conference on Electroanalysis. Workshops [Details] |
| Leech, D et al. (2003) Redox mediators and laccase: from biosensors to biobleaching. Workshops [Details] |
| Leech, D et al. (2003) Intellisens: Intelligent biosensor arrays for alarm systems for monitoring environmental waters. Workshops [Details] |
| Leech, D et al. (2001) A Cleaner Environment Using Electrochemistry: Towards Waste Monitoring and Reduction. Workshops [Details] |
| Leech, D et al. (2001) Green White Paper: Environmentally Benign Bleaching of Paper Pulps Using Electron Transfer Mediators. Workshops [Details] |
| Leech, D et al. (2001) Electrochemical Methods of Analysis for Receptor-Ligand Binding Assays. Workshops [Details] |
| Leech, D et al. (2001) Electrochemical Sensors Based on Redox Polymers and/or Redox Hydrogels. Workshops [Details] |