DrAli Salehi-Reyhani

Dr Ali Salehi-Reyhani is an analytical scientist and engineer developing the next generation of measurement technologies for biology. His research combines analytical chemistry, microfluidics, artificial intelligence and optics to create entirely new ways of measuring and manipulating living cells, with applications in precision oncology, single-cell biology and healthcare.

Living systems are extraordinarily dynamic, adaptive and heterogeneous, yet many of the technologies used to study disease provide only static snapshots of biology. My research develops programmable analytical technologies that enable us not only to measure biology with unprecedented precision, but also to manipulate and interrogate living systems in real time. By integrating analytical chemistry, microfluidics, artificial intelligence, optics and engineering, our goal is to transform how we diagnose disease, understand treatment response and develop precision medicines.

Our work is united by a simple question: how can we extract clinically actionable information from complex biological systems? Rather than viewing technology as an end in itself, we develop enabling platforms that reveal biological behaviour previously inaccessible to researchers and clinicians. Current research spans functional liquid biopsy, single-cell analysis, autonomous cell manipulation, molecular communication and deployable analytical instrumentation, with applications ranging from precision oncology to environmental health.

A defining ambition of the group is to move beyond conventional diagnostics that simply detect disease towards technologies that measure cellular function, enabling clinicians to understand how individual patient cells respond to therapy, evolve during disease progression and interact with their surrounding microenvironment. We work closely with clinicians, engineers, industry and entrepreneurs to translate these technologies into practical tools that improve patient care.

Our vision is to move beyond simply detecting disease towards understanding how individual patient cells behave, respond to therapy and evolve over time. Tomorrow’s biological discoveries will not simply arise from asking better questions - they will arise from inventing entirely new ways to measure living systems. That is the mission of the ASR Group.

Scientific Leadership and Community

Our research sits at the interface of analytical chemistry, engineering, artificial intelligence and cancer biology, requiring collaboration across disciplines and sectors. Alongside leading the ASR Group, I am committed to strengthening the analytical sciences community through scientific leadership, policy development and the creation of opportunities for early-career researchers. I serve on the Executive Committee of CAMS-UK (Community for Analytical Measurement Science), where I have helped shape the UK’s strategic vision for analytical science through the State of the Nation initiative, engaging with policymakers, research funders and the wider scientific community to influence the future direction of the discipline. As a Founding Committee Member and Secretary of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Microfluidics Group, I am helping establish a new national community that supports scientific exchange, student development, outreach and interdisciplinary collaboration. I also serve on the committee of ChromSoc, one of the world’s leading learned societies for chromatography and separation science, contributing to conference organisation, scientific programming and community development. Internationally, I served as Co-Chair Elect of the IUPAC Division V Subcommittee on Analytical Chemistry, which supports international activities and collaboration in analytical measurement science. I’ve been named among The Analytical Scientist Top 40 Under 40, recognising emerging international leaders in analytical science. My research has also been recognised through several fellowships, such as the UKRI Innovation Fellowship, cover articles in leading journals, invited and plenary lectures, and invitations to contribute to national policy and strategy for analytical science.

Research Philosophy

We believe the next generation of breakthroughs will arise from programmable measurement systems that integrate artificial intelligence, analytical chemistry and engineering with biology. Rather than applying existing technologies to biological questions, our research seeks to invent new analytical platforms that enable scientists to ask questions that were previously impossible. Every project within the Analytical Systems Research Group is guided by this philosophy, combining fundamental engineering, analytical measurement science and clinical translation to generate technologies with lasting scientific impact.

Translation and Impact

Translation is embedded throughout our research programme. I previously founded anywhereHPLC Ltd., translating portable analytical instrumentation into commercial technology. Today, we work closely with clinicians, biotechnology companies and the pharmaceutical industry to ensure our research addresses genuine unmet needs. Current collaborations include partners in pharma, instrumentation, clinicians across Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Cancer Research UK, and international academic partners. Through these partnerships we aim to ensure that our technologies address genuine clinical needs while maintaining strong scientific foundations.

Join the ASR Group

We are always looking for exceptional PhD students, MRes students, postdoctoral researchers and independent fellows who are excited by interdisciplinary science and ambitious enough to tackle problems that lie beyond the boundaries of traditional disciplines.

The ASR Group brings together analytical chemistry, engineering, artificial intelligence, optics, microfluidics and cancer biology to create technologies that transform how living systems can be measured, manipulated and understood. We are particularly interested in people who enjoy solving difficult problems, questioning established thinking and building entirely new scientific capabilities.

Our philosophy is simple. The best discoveries often arise when new measurement technologies make previously impossible experiments possible. We encourage members of the group to think boldly, develop independence early in their careers and work confidently with clinicians, engineers, entrepreneurs and scientists from diverse backgrounds. Alongside scientific excellence, we place a strong emphasis on communication, creativity, leadership and translation, ensuring that our researchers are equipped not only to produce outstanding science, but also to maximise its impact in academia, healthcare and industry.

If you are motivated by the idea of inventing the technologies that will define the next generation of functional precision biology, we would be delighted to hear from you. Prospective students, postdoctoral researchers and fellows are warmly encouraged to get in touch to discuss potential opportunities.

Research Themes

• Functional liquid biopsy and precision oncology
• Circulating tumour cell biology
• Microfluidics and lab-on-a-chip technologies
• AI-guided single-cell manipulation
• Single-cell metabolomics and mass spectrometry
• Portable analytical instrumentation
• Molecular communication and engineering biology
• Translational analytical chemistry