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Dr David C. Wedge
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Bioanalytical Sciences Group
School of Chemistry
The University of Manchester
Manchester Interdisciplinary Biocentre
131 Princess Street
Manchester M1 7DN
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Personal |
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Dr David C. Wedge
School of Chemistry,
The University of Manchester, Manchester Interdisciplinary Biocentre,
131 Princess Street, Manchester M1 7DN
Tel: +44 (0)161 306 5145
Email:
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Research |
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Low Cost Sensor Arrays
The ability to constantly monitor aqueous and gaseous environments can play an important role in ensuring public safety.
Unfortunately, current analytical techniques are often slow, expensive or too specific. This research uses
the change in behaviour of semi-conducting materials in response to environmental chemicals at low concentration
as an indication of contamination. When arrays of different organic field effect transistors (OFETs) are used as a sensor
a multi-dimensional response is induced. This response may then be analysed using statistical or machine learning techniques.
General information may be obtained concerning chemical sensors here.
Genetic Programming
By using Genetic Programming (GP) as a tool for pattern recognition
we aim to identify a large range of chemicals. GP is a machine learning technique which uses an evolutionary approach
to improve a population of solutions to a problem (computer programs) through the processes of selection, reproduction,
mutation and re-combination.
The code used to run the GP algorithm is contained within the GeneticWedge package. This is written in the Java programming language
and may be downloaded from the downloads section.
General information concerning Genetic Programming may be obtained here.
Information on our group's other research in the area of Genetic Programming may be found here.
I have recently developed the 'genotype-fitness correlation' (GFC). This is a metric that indicates the smoothness of a problem landscape.
It has been demonstrated that the GFC is a useful tool in predicting optimal population sizes during GP.
Bioinformatics
I am involved in a number of bioinformatics projects, covering a range of areas including proteomics, directed evolution and DNA landscape modelling. Further details are available in the publications section.
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Education |
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2005 Manchester Metropolitan University, PhD Computer Science,
Wave Overtopping Prediction using Global-Local Artificial Neural Networks. This project aimed to predict the rate of overtopping of
sea-walls with a variety of structures and under a variety of environmental conditions. Theoretical advances were made
in the field of hybrid artificial neural networks through the invention of a novel architecture and training method for
networks containing both sigmoidal and radial basis function (RBF) neurons. This research took place within the
Centre for Mathematical Modelling and Flow Analysis
under the guidance of Dr. David Ingram.
My thesis is available for download here.
2001 University of Huddersfield, MSc Software Development, Distinction with a prize for the best postgraduate student.
This included a research project on the introduction of heuristics into constraint checking during AI Planning under the supervision of
Prof Lee McCluskey.
1993 Bretton Hall College, University of Leeds, PGCE Early Years.
1989 Pembroke College, University of Oxford, BA(Hons.), Chemistry 2(i) with Distinction in History and Philosophy of Science
1985 Hewett Comprehensive School, Norwich, 'A' levels in Mathematics (A), Physics (A), Chemistry (A) and English Literature (B)
1983 Southgate Comprehensive School, Enfield, 'O' levels
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Publications |
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Journals:
Wedge, D.C., Rowe, W., Kell, D.B. and Knowles, J. (2009) In silico Modelling of Directed Evolution: Implications for Experimental Design and Stepwise Evolution, Journal of Theoretical Biology, 257, 131-141, doi:10.1016/j.jtbi.2008.11.005
Das, A., Dost, R., Richardson, T.H., Grell, M., Wedge, D.C., Morrison, J.J. and Turner, M.L. (2009), Low cost, portable, fast multiparameter data acquisition system for organic transistor odour sensors, Sensors and Actuators B, 137(2), 586-591
Knight, C.G., Platt, M., Rowe, W., Wedge, D.C., Khan, F., Day, P.J.R., McShea, A., Knowles, J. and Kell, D.B. (2009) Array-based evolution of DNA aptamers allows modelling of an explicit sequence-fitness landscape, Nucleic Acids Research, 37(1), e6, doi: 10.1093/nar/gkn899
Platt, M., Rowe, W., Wedge, D.C., Kell, D.B., Knowles, J. and Day, P.J.R. (2009) Aptamer evolution for array-based diagnostics, Analytical Biochemistry, In press, doi:10.1016/j.ab.2009.04.013
Wedge, D.C., Ingram, D., McLean, D., Mingham, C. and Bandar, Z. (2006) On Global-Local Artificial Neural Networks for Function Approximation, IEEE Transactions on Neural Networks, 17(4), 942-952
Wedge, D.C., Ingram, D., McLean, D., Mingham, C. and Bandar, Z. (2005) Neural Network Architectures and Wave Overtopping, Maritime Engineering, 158(MA3), 123-133
Proceedings:
Wedge, D.C. and Kell, D.B. (2008) Rapid Prediction of Optimum Population Size in Genetic Programming Using a Novel Genotype - Fitness Correlation, GECCO 2008: Proceedings of the 10th annual conference on Genetic and Evolutionary Computation, M. Keijzer et al (eds.) 2219-2225
Wedge, D.C., Hubbard, S., Gaskell, S.J., Kell, D.B., Lau, K.W. and Eyers, C. (2007) Peptide Detectability following ESI Mass Spectrometry: Prediction using Genetic Programming, GECCO 2007: Proceedings of the 9th annual conference on Genetic and Evolutionary Computation, H. Lipson et al (eds.) 1315-1322
Wedge, D.C., Ingram, D., McLean, D., Mingham, C. and Bandar, Z. (2005) A Global-Local Artificial Neural Network with Application to Wave Overtopping Prediction, Proceedings of the International Conference on Artificial Neural Networks (ICANN), W. Duch et al (eds.) 109-114
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Miscellaneous |
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I have worked on a number of interesting projects over the years. These include the use of neural networks
as a tool for lie detection through gesture analysis at Silent Talker
and the development of web-based mapping software at Graticule. I also spent 7 years as a
teacher of 5-7 year old children and 3 years as a 'house-husband', bringing up my oldest son.
I play chess regularly, playing for Hebden Bridge in the Calderdale League
and representing Calderdale in the Yorkshire League.
I studied Chinese (Mandarin) between 2006 and 2008. I enjoy walking and running and completed the
Pennine Way in 1987.
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Downloads |
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'GeneticWedge', the computer code used to run the Genetic Programming algorithm, is written in the Java progamming language.
Source code and class files are available for download here.
A jar file containing the Java class files is available here.
Documentation in standard javadoc format is available here.
If you use this code in your research please credit me. Also any feedback (positive or negative) would be welcome.
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Contact Details |
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School of Chemistry
The University of Manchester
Manchester Interdisciplinary Biocentre
131 Princess Street
Manchester M1 7DN
United Kingdom
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Telephone: |
+44 (0)161 306 5145 |
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Group |
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