Contact Professor Sam Tothill

Areas of expertise

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biosensors & Diagnostics
  • Drug Discovery & Development
  • Food Safety
  • Nanomaterials
  • Nanotechnology
  • Smart Materials

Background

Professor Tothill has a PhD in Analytical Biochemistry from Cranfield University, where she conducted original research in enzyme catalysis/ discovery and their application in biotechnology and diagnostics. She has an MSc in Microbial Biochemistry and was awarded the top student award for her BSc degree. She holds many visiting professor positions in Europe and China and has served as Academic Programme Director, Deputy Education Director, Associate Dean for the Faculty of Medicine and Biosciences, Director for the Sensors for Water Interest Group and Head of Cranfield Biotechnology Centre. Professor Tothill sits on several editorial boards for international scientific Journals and scientific committees and delivers several keynotes and invited talks each year at major international and European conferences and has been awarded a number of prizes for her research.

Current activities

Professor of Bio-Nano Sensors, Head of the Bio-Nano Sensors Group. Professor Sam Tothill's current interests centre on the development of biosensors and diagnostics devices, with research covering the Health, foods and environmental sectors.

Prof Tothill research is focused on signifying the analytical advantages of interfacing inorganic transducer surfaces and biological/biomimics/synthetic species at the micro and nano level. This has led to the fabrication of a range of electrochemical, micro-electromechanical and optical sensor platforms and Lab-on-a-Chip devices for disease prevention and detection. The application of nanotechnology in the design and manufacturing of novel sensing system and Nano- receptor molecules such as molecular imprinting polymers (NanoMIPs) and peptides is her current research interest. Her work cover analysis of microbial contaminants and pathogen's (bacteria, viruses, fungi) and their toxins such as mycotoxins, cyanobacterial toxins and endotoxins, disease biomarkers (eg. cancer, cardiovascular, infectious disease and others) for point-of-care testing and diagnosis. She also work on the detection of heavy metals, drugs, allergens and chemical contaminants in food, the environment and biological fluids.

Clients

Professor Tothill's expertise has been explored with a range of business clients nationally and internationally. Current and recent research has been supported by BBSRC, DEFRA, Oxoid Ltd, Unipath, BRE, EA, MIRO, WRAP, the Institute for Medical Research and MARDI (Malaysia), Tupperware (USA), DuPont Ltd. (UK), Sierra Sensors (Germany), Philips Ltd. (UK), Innovate UK, Unilever, the European Commission (FP5, 6 &7) and collaborative research with NHS partner Hospitals (Bedford and Gloucester).

Publications

Articles In Journals