This research develops a novel PEG-free lipid nanoparticle for gene therapy. Unlike conventional nanoparticles, which trigger immune responses after repeated use, the new formulation remains stable without PEG and performs even better. The approach could enable safer repeat dosing, improve treatment effectiveness, and expand access to life-changing gene therapies.

This dissertation develops brain-charting methods to support precision psychiatry and neurology by measuring how an individual’s brain differs from population norms. Using normative modelling, it replaces conventional case-control averages with personalised deviation scores across age and disease progression. The research introduces warped normative models for non-Gaussian imaging data and multivariate extreme-value methods for identifying unusual patterns across brain regions. Applications to rare copy-number variants and Parkinson’s disease reveal individual differences obscured by group averages. The defence also examines longitudinal monitoring, environmental influences, resilience, ethics, stigma and clinical implementation, while emphasising that brain deviations alone cannot define pathology or determine treatment.

This research transforms natural silk fibers into biodegradable “silk paper” membranes that support bone regeneration for dental implants. Unlike titanium meshes, silk papers dissolve in the body, eliminating the need for a second surgery. They support human cell growth, reduce costs, and promise safer, more accessible dental and medical treatments.