Dr Sandra Wilks
BSc (Hons), PhD, FRSB
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Dr Sandra Wilks is an interdisciplinary lecturer in the Schools of Health Sciences and Biological Sciences. She has over 20 years experience in biofilm research and is currently leading a programme of work investigating the impact of biofilms on medical devices such as urinary catheters and nasogastric feeding tubes, as well as general infection prevention and control. She has particular interest in the detection and control of biofilms and understanding complex polymicrobial communities.
Landmark publications:
Wilks, SA, Koerfer, V, Prieto, J, Fader, MJ, Keevil, CW (2021) ‘Biofilm development on urinary catheters promotes appearance of viable but nonculturable bacteria’ mBio DOI: 10.1128/mBio.03584-20
Wilks, SA, Morris, N, Thompson, R, Prieto, J, Macaulay, M, Keevil, CW, Moore, K, Fader, M (2020) ‘An effective, evidence-based cleaning method for the safe reuse of intermittent catheters: in vitro testing’ Neurourology & Urodynamics DOI: 10.1002/nau.24296
Watson, F, Keevil, C, Wilks, S, Chewins, J (2018), 'Modelling vaporised hydrogen peroxide efficacy against mono-species biofilms' Scientific Reports, vol 8, 12257, pp. 1-7. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-30706-0
Highmore, CJ, Warner, JC, Rothwell, SD, Wilks, SA, Keevil, CW 2018, 'Viable-but-nonculturable Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella enterica serovar thompson induced by chlorine stress remain infectious' mBio, vol 9, no. 2, e00540-18. DOI: 10.1128/mBio.00540-18
Wilks, SA, Fader, MJ, Keevil, CW 2015, 'Novel insights into the Proteus mirabilis crystalline biofilm using real-time imaging' PLoS ONE, vol 10, no. 10, pp. 1-13.DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0141711
Major grants:
Co-I. NIHR HTA. Multicentre trial of the clinical and cost effectiveness of a novel urinary catheter design in reducing catheter-associated urinary tract infection compared with the traditional Foley design for adults requiring long-term catheterisation (CADET).
Co-I. Food Standards Agency. Survival of SARS-CoV-2 on food surfaces and food packaging materials
Co-I. AHRC UKRI COVID Response. Routes of infection, routes to safety: Creative mapping of human-viral behaviours on the bus to understand infection prevention practices
PI. SBRI Healthcare Phase I & II. A one-step cleaning method for intermittent catheters
Impact example:
Through a Phase I & II award from SBRI Healthcare, a collaborative grant with JVS Products Ltd has led to the development and CE-marking of an antimicrobial cleaning wipe for use on intermittent catheters. The ability to safely reuse intermittent catheters has considerable financial and environmental sustainability impact.