Dr Jon Ashley
Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences
Faculty of Science
Email: J.Ashley@ljmu.ac.uk
Telephone: 0151 231 2998
ORCID
Senior Lecturer in Analytical and Forensic Science
Degrees
2021, Denmark Technical University, Denmark, UDTU Diploma in Education in University Teaching
2013, The National University of Singapore, Singapore, PhD in Analytical Chemistry
2006, The University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom, PGCE (QTS) Secondary Science Education
2004, Manchester University, United Kingdom, MChem Chemistry with Industrial Experience
Certifications
2018, Royal Society of Chemistry, United Kingdom, Chartered Chemist (CChem)
Academic appointments
Assistant Professor, Healthcare Technology, Denmark Technical University, 2019 - 2022
NanoTRAIN for Growth Research Fellow (Marie Curie Co-Fund), Food for Growth, International Iberian Nanotechnology Labaratory, 2018 - 2019
Post Doc in Nanosensors, Nanotech, Denmark Technical University, 2016 - 2018
Research Fellow in Analytical Chemistry, School of Engineering, Cranfield University, 2014 - 2016
Post Doc, Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel, 2013 - 2014
Highlighted publications
Vacacela J, Schaap-Johansen A-L, Manikova P, Marcatili P, Prado M, Sun Y, Ashley J. 2022. The Protein-Templated Synthesis of Enzyme-Generated Aptamers. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Mohammadniaei M, Zhang M, Ashley J, Christensen UB, Friis-Hansen LJ, Gregersen R, Lisby JG, Benfield TL, Nielsen FE, Rasmussen JH, Pedersen EB, Olinger ACR, Kolding LT, Naseri M, Zheng T, Wang W, Gorodkin J, Sun Y. 2021. A non-enzymatic, isothermal strand displacement and amplification assay for rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA Nature Communications, 12 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Ashley J, Schaap-Johansen A-L, Mohammadniaei M, Naseri M, Marcatili P, Prado M, Sun Y. 2021. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated formation of protein binding polynucleotides Nucleic Acids Research, 49 :1065-1074 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Journal article
Ashley J. 2025. Is the literature review paper dead? How AI is transforming the research landscape in DNA research Nucleic acid insights, 3 :7-10 DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Goulding W, Sun Y, Ashley J. 2024. NanoMIP Beacons with a Co-operative Binding Mechanism for the all-in-one Detection of Methamphetamine Aptamer Complexes Biosensors and Bioelectronics, DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Fasogbon IV, Ondari EN, Tusubira D, Ogbonnia EC, Ashley J, Sasikumar S, Aja PM. 2024. A critical review of the limitations of current diagnostic techniques for schistosomiasis All Life, 17 DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Ashley JON, Potts IG, Olorunniji FJ. 2022. Applications of Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase Enzyme in Biotechnology ChemBioChem, DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Naseri M, Halder A, Mohammadniaei M, Prado M, Ashley J, Sun Y. 2022. A multivalent aptamer-based electrochemical biosensor for biomarker detection in urinary tract infection ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA, 389 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Vacacela J, Schaap‐Johansen A, Manikova P, Marcatili P, Prado M, Sun Y, Ashley J. 2022. The Protein‐Templated Synthesis of Enzyme‐Generated Aptamers Angewandte Chemie, 134 DOI Publisher Url
Vacacela J, Schaap-Johansen A-L, Manikova P, Marcatili P, Prado M, Sun Y, Ashley J. 2022. The Protein-Templated Synthesis of Enzyme-Generated Aptamers. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Zheng T, Wang W, Mohammadniaei M, Ashley J, Zhang M, Zhou N, Shen J, Sun Y. 2021. Anti-MicroRNA-21 Oligonucleotide Loaded Spermine-Modified Acetalated Dextran Nanoparticles for B1 Receptor-Targeted Gene Therapy and Antiangiogenesis Therapy ADVANCED SCIENCE, 9 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Mohammadniaei M, Zhang M, Ashley J, Christensen UB, Friis-Hansen LJ, Gregersen R, Lisby JG, Benfield TL, Nielsen FE, Rasmussen JH, Pedersen EB, Olinger ACR, Kolding LT, Naseri M, Zheng T, Wang W, Gorodkin J, Sun Y. 2021. A non-enzymatic, isothermal strand displacement and amplification assay for rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA Nature Communications, 12 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Zhang M, Wang W, Mohammadniaei M, Zheng T, Zhang Q, Ashley J, Liu S, Sun Y, Tang BZ. 2021. Upregulating Aggregation-Induced-Emission Nanoparticles with Blood-Tumor-Barrier Permeability for Precise Photothermal Eradication of Brain Tumors and Induction of Local Immune Responses Advanced Materials, 33 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Ashley J, Schaap-Johansen A-L, Mohammadniaei M, Naseri M, Marcatili P, Prado M, Sun Y. 2021. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated formation of protein binding polynucleotides Nucleic Acids Research, 49 :1065-1074 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
D'Aurelio R, Ashley J, Rodgers TL, Trinh L, Temblay J, Pleasants M, Tothill IE. 2020. Development of a NanoMIPs-SPR-Based Sensor for beta-Lactoglobulin Detection CHEMOSENSORS, 8 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Liu Y, Zhang Q, Zhou N, Tan J, Ashley J, Wang W, Wu F, Shen J, Zhang M. 2020. Study on a novel poly (vinyl alcohol)/graphene oxide-citicoline sodium-lanthanum wound dressing: Biocompatibility, bioactivity, antimicrobial activity, and wound healing effect CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL, 395 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Zhang M, Wang W, Wu F, Zheng T, Ashley J, Mohammadniaei M, Zhang Q, Wang M, Li L, Shen J, Sun Y. 2020. Biodegradable Poly(gamma-glutamic acid)@glucose oxidase@carbon dot nanoparticles for simultaneous multimodal imaging and synergetic cancer therapy BIOMATERIALS, 252 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Zheng T, Wang W, Ashley J, Zhang M, Feng X, Shen J, Sun Y. 2020. Self-Assembly Protein Superstructures as a Powerful Chemodynamic Therapy Nanoagent for Glioblastoma Treatment NANO-MICRO LETTERS, 12 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Naseri M, Mohammadniaei M, Sun Y, Ashley J. 2020. The Use of Aptamers and Molecularly Imprinted Polymers in Biosensors for Environmental Monitoring: A Tale of Two Receptors CHEMOSENSORS, 8 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Zhang M, Sheng B, Ashley J, Zheng T, Wang W, Zhang Q, Zhang J, Zhou N, Shen J, Sun Y. 2020. Manganese ion chelated FeOCl@PB@PDA@BPQDs nanocomposites as a tumor microenvironment-mediated nanoplatform for enhanced tumor imaging and therapy SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL, 307 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Klingler C, Ashley J, Shi K, Stiefvater A, Kyba M, Sinnreich M, Aihara H, Kinter J. 2020. DNA aptamers against the DUX4 protein reveal novel therapeutic implications for FSHD FASEB JOURNAL, 34 :4573-4590 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Yan C, Krasnoperov LN. 2019. Pressure-Dependent Kinetics of the Reaction between CH3O2 and OH: TRIOX Formation JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY A, 123 :8349-8357 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Yan C, Krasnoperov LN. 2019. Pressure-Dependent Kinetics of the Reaction between CH3O2 and OH: TRIOX Formation. The journal of physical chemistry. A, 123 :8349-8357 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Shah F, Shi A, Ashley J, Kronfel C, Wang Q, Maleki SJ, Adhikari B, Zhang J. 2019. Peanut Allergy: Characteristics and Approaches for Mitigation COMPREHENSIVE REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND FOOD SAFETY, 18 :1361-1387 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Ren Z, Trinh L, Cooke M, De Hert SC, Silvaluengo J, Ashley J, Tothill IE, Rodgers TL. 2019. Development of a Novel Linear ERT Sensor to Measure Surface Deposits IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON INSTRUMENTATION AND MEASUREMENT, 68 :754-761 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Zhou T, Ashley J, Feng X, Sun Y. 2018. Detection of hemoglobin using hybrid molecularly imprinted polymers/carbon quantum dots-based nanobiosensor prepared from surfactant-free Pickering emulsion TALANTA, 190 :443-449 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Feng X, Ashley J, Zhou T, Sun Y. 2018. Fluorometric determination of doxycycline based on the use of carbon quantum dots incorporated into a molecularly imprinted polymer MICROCHIMICA ACTA, 185 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Hemben A, Ashley J, Tothill IE. 2018. An immunosensor for parasite lactate dehydrogenase detection as a malaria biomarker - Comparison with commercial test kit TALANTA, 187 :321-329 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Halder A, Godoy-Gallardo M, Ashley J, Feng X, Zhou T, Hosta-Rigau L, Sun Y. 2018. One-pot green synthesis of biocompatible graphene quantum dots and their cell uptake studies ACS Applied Bio Materials, 1 :452-461 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Feng X, Ashley J, Zhou T, Halder A, Sun Y. 2018. Molecularly imprinted nanoparticles for inhibiting ribonuclease in reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction ANALYST, 143 :2750-2754 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Ashley J, D'Aurelio R, Piekarska M, Temblay J, Pleasants M, Trinh L, Rodgers TL, Tothill IE. 2018. Development of a beta-Lactoglobulin Sensor Based on SPR for Milk Allergens Detection BIOSENSORS-BASEL, 8 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Ashley J, Feng X, Sun Y. 2018. A multifunctional molecularly imprinted polymer-based biosensor for direct detection of doxycycline in food samples TALANTA, 182 :49-54 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Ashley J, Feng X, Halder A, Zhou T, Sun Y. 2018. Dispersive solid-phase imprinting of proteins for the production of plastic antibodies CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS, 54 :3355-3358 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Ashley J, Shukor Y, D'Aurelio R, Trinh L, Rodgers TL, Temblay J, Pleasants M, Tothill IE. 2018. Synthesis of Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Nanoparticles for alpha-Casein Detection Using Surface Plasmon Resonance as a Milk Allergen Sensor ACS SENSORS, 3 :418-424 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Feng X, Ashley J, Zhou T, Halder A, Sun Y. 2018. A facile molecularly imprinted polymer-based fluorometric assay for detection of histamine RSC ADVANCES, 8 :2365-2372 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Ashley J, Wu K, Hansen MF, Schmidt MS, Boisen A, Sun Y. 2017. Quantitative Detection of Trace Level Cloxacillin in Food Samples Using Magnetic Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Extraction and Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Nanopillars ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY, 89 :11484-11490 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Hemben A, Ashley J, Tothill IE. 2017. Development of an Immunosensor for PfHRP 2 as a Biomarker for Malaria Detection BIOSENSORS-BASEL, 7 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Trinh L, Willey AR, Martin PJ, Ashley J, Tothill IE, Rodgers TL. 2017. Rate-Based Approach to Cleaning-in-Place INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH, 56 :6695-6702 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Ashley J, Shahbazi M-A, Kant K, Chidambara VA, Wolff A, Bang DD, Sun Y. 2017. Molecularly imprinted polymers for sample preparation and biosensing in food analysis: Progress and perspectives BIOSENSORS & BIOELECTRONICS, 91 :606-615 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Ashley J, Piekarska M, Segers C, Trinh L, Rodgers T, Willey R, Tothill IE. 2017. An SPR based sensor for allergens detection BIOSENSORS & BIOELECTRONICS, 88 :109-113 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Ashley J, Shukor Y, Tothill IE. 2016. The use of differential scanning fluorimetry in the rational design of plastic antibodies for protein targets ANALYST, 141 :6463-6470 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Ashley J, Ji K, Li SFY. 2015. Selection of cholesterol esterase aptamers using a dual-partitioning approach ELECTROPHORESIS, 36 :2616-2621 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Ashley J, Li SFY. 2013. An aptamer based surface plasmon resonance biosensor for the detection of bovine catalase in milk BIOSENSORS & BIOELECTRONICS, 48 :126-131 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Ashley J, Li SFY. 2013. Three-dimensional selection of leptin aptamers using capillary electrophoresis and implications for clone validation ANALYTICAL BIOCHEMISTRY, 434 :146-152 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Ashley J, Ji K, Li SFY. 2012. Selection of bovine catalase aptamers using non-SELEX ELECTROPHORESIS, 33 :2783-2789 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Chapters
Ashley J. 2024. MIPs as Versatile Tools in Sample Preparation Molecularly Imprinted Polymers Computational Studies to Advanced Applications Springer 9783031673672 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Mohammadniaei M, Naseri M, Ashley J, Zhang M, Sun Y. 2024. Application of 2D materials in the development of nucleic acid–based electrochemical biosensors Functionalization of 2D Materials and their Applications :153-175 DOI Publisher Url
Mohammadniaei M, Naseri M, Ashley J, Zhang M, Sun Y. 2024. 5 Application of 2D materials in the development of nucleic acid–based electrochemical biosensors Functionalization of Two-Dimensional Materials and Their Applications :153-175 Elsevier DOI
Ashley J, Manikova P. 2023. Fluorescent sensors Altintas Z, Barhoum A. Fundamentals of Sensor Technology Principles and Novel Designs Elsivier 978-0-323-88431-0 DOI Publisher Url
Ashley J, Manikova P. 2023. 7 Fluorescent sensors Fundamentals of Sensor Technology :147-161 Elsevier DOI
Ashley J. 2021. Biosensors Toldrá F, Nollet LML. Handbook of Dairy Foods Analysis CRC Press 9780429342967 Publisher Url
Ashley J, Sun Y. 2018. The use of nanomaterials and microfluidics in medical diagnostics Biosensors and Nanotechnology: Applications in Health Care Diagnostics :35-58 DOI Publisher Url
Editorial/letter to the editor
Ashley J. 2022. Introducing ... ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION, DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Patent
Ashley J, Sun Y, Prado M. 2022. Variable Size Aptamer Libraries Publisher Url Public Url
Books (authored)
El-Said WA, Ghany NAA. Functionalization of 2D Materials and Their Applications Elsevier 9780323899550
Research Grants Awarded:
IBIC, Development of Next-generation Chemical Antibodies, Grant value (£): 10000, Duration of research project: 6 months. 2024
LJMU Seed Corn funding, Development of nanosensors for Drug Detection, Grant value (£): 10000, Duration of research project: 1 year. 2022
Analytical Chemistry Trust Fund, Aptamer and nanoMIP Beacons for Russian Doll Style Recognition in Therapeutic Drug Monitoring, Grant value (£): 30000, Duration of research project: 2 years. 2022
Denmark Technical University (Internal Funding), Discovery Grant – Spin out company “VSDNA design, Yi Sun, Grant value (£): 17722.78, Duration of research project: 6 months. 2020
Villium Foundation (Denmark), Synthesis of TdT mediated protein binding aptamers, Grant value (£): 179,440.14, Duration of research project: 2 years. 2019
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, INL NanoTrain for Growth Fellowship (Marie Curie Co-fund) Development of Aptamer for Allergen Detection (DAAD), project number: 600375, Development of Aptamer for Allergen Detection (DAAD), project number: 600375, Grant value (£): 171,803.76, Duration of research project: 11 months. 2018
Royal Society of Chemistry, RSC Travel grant for the 7th EuChemMS Congress and Early Career Symposium, Grant value (£): 800. 2018
OTTO MØNSTEDS FOND, Travel grant for affinity conference (Paris)., Grant value (£): 600. 2017
Fellowships:
CAMS Fellowship 2022, The Analytical Chemistry Trust Fund (ACTF) and Community for Analytical Measurement Science (CAMS), https://cams-uk.co.uk/. 2023
External PGR Supervision - completed students:
Denmark Technical University, PhD, Maryam Naseri - Development of sensors for heavy metal and protein detection. 2022
Denmark Technical University, MSc, Patricia Manikova-Development of Enzyme-Generated Aptamers Against Cancer Biomarkers CD19 and EGFR. 2022
Denmark Technical University, MSc, Detection of Amoxicillin using multifunctional molecularly imprinted polymers. 2019
Cranfield University, MSc, β-lactoglobulin detection through molecular imprinted nanopolymer based sensors. 2016
Cranfield University, PhD, Aver Hemben - Development of immunosensors for the malaria diagnostics. 2016
Conference presentation:
Solid-phase and Surface Imprinting for the Detection of Food Contaminants and Allergens, 7th EuCheMs Chemistry Congress,, Liverpool, UK, Oral presentation. 2022
Aptamers Conference 2020, The use of Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase Enzyme in the Generation of DNA Libraries for the Screening of Protein Binding Aptamers, INSOAP Aptamers Conference 2020, Oxford UK, Oral presentation. 2020
Dispersive Solid-Phase Imprinting of Proteins for the Production of Plastic Antibodies, Sustain Conference, Kgs. Lyngby, Oral presentation. 2017
Development of magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers for detection of antibiotic residues in pork products, Affinity Conference, Paris, France, Poster presentation. 2017
An SPR based sensor for allergens detection,, Biosensors-Congress, Gothenberg, Sweden, Poster presentation. 2016
Rapid Milk Protein Allergen Monitoring in Cleaning in Place Systems, Sensors in food and agriculture, Cambridge, UK, Poster presentation. 2015
Non-Selex screening of proteins and their application in SPR based sensors, Chemical Biology and Bio-Organic Chemistry Postgraduate Symposium, RSC meeting, Manchester, UK, Oral presentation. 2013
External committees:
RSC Liverpool Local Comittee, Royal Society of Chemistry, Comittee member. 2022
Editorial boards:
Chemosensors (MPDI), Topic editor. 2020
Biosensors Journal (MPDI), Topic editor for. 2020
Award:
Top Reviewer in Chemistry, Publons. 2018
Chartered Chemist (CChem), Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). 2018
NUS Teaching Excellence Award for Part Time Teaching., The National University of Singapore. 2011
Membership of professional bodies:
Full Member, Royal Society of Chemistry. 2018
Industrial connections:
Danish Crown (Denmark), FOSS (Denmark), Synthesis of fluorescence based multifunctional nanocomposite sensors for the detection of antibiotic.. 2016
Unilever (UK), Siemens (Germany), C-Tech (UK), Innovate UK - Development of molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticle based biosensors for the detection of milk allergens in cleaning in place systems (CIP).. 2014