Martin Lee PhD

Martin is a life scientist who graduated in 1992 with a 2i in Biotechnology from the University of Sunderland. This degree included a one-year sandwich placement in molecular biology research at CBD. He was awarded a PhD following a three-year research position at the University of Teesside undertaking electrochemical analysis of DNA funded by BNFL PLC. In 1995 he returned to DSTL (formerly CBD/CBDE/DERA) to undertake research into rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) whilst developing the role of a technical lead in the area of gene probe instrumentation and novel fluorescent chemistries. Highlights at DSTL included a UK Treasury “invest to save” award for a DoH programme to develop a point-of-care clinical diagnostic system for the identification of sexually transmitted pathogens. In 2001 he organised and chaired the world’s first real-time PCR conference (Winchester UK). The IEE ‘Ayrton Premium’ was jointly awarded in 2003 for work on silicon micro-chambers for PCR. In 2003 he joined BioGene Ltd, a licensee of the DSTL electrical conducting polymer rapid PCR heating technology where he gained commercial experience as a technical specialist for the InSyte® instrument product portfolio. This involved product development & training whilst supporting a UK technical sales team of four. After a 12-month period of self-employment trading as “Fluorogenics”, he returned to PD in September 2004 as a co-founder of Enigma Diagnostics Ltd taking the position of technical manager. In 2010 he was promoted to Chief Scientific Officer. He has developed an extensive patent portfolio and publications spanning rapid PCR instrumentation, fluorescent optical arrangements and various approaches to real-time gene quantification including bioluminescence, fluorescence ad electrochemical signalling. Key IP assignments include the PCR “electrically conducting polymer” heating approach that forms part of licence deals with Enigma Diagnostics and Tecan.