K Whitehead

Professor Kathryn Whitehead

Professor in Microbiology at Interfaces

My profile

Biography

Kathryn Whitehead is a Professor in Microbiology at Interfaces at Manchester Metropolitan University (UK). She has extensive experience in working on designing and characterising antimicrobial, biomimetic and anti-adhesive surfaces and decontamination systems for use in food industries and medical systems. Her work also includes a number of other collaborative areas including the development of antimicrobials, and investigating the growth (microbial fuel cells) and eradication of biofilms, the effects of oral bacterial metabolites on renal function and factors leading to the incidence of surgical site infections, bacteria found in burn patient wounds and surgical site infections and their transmission across the wards and their antimicrobial resistance. She has published more than 100 articles in these areas.

Interests and expertise

Microbial retention and transmission of the surface can result in a variety of issues; the transmission of food spoilage and pathogenic bacteria in the food industry, healthcare-associated infections in cares homes and hospitals, contamination of biomaterials, the development of biofilms in water systems and fouling of downstream products in industry.

With the rise in antimicrobial resistance, the number of products available to treat infections is shrinking and a number of bacteria are also becoming resistant to biocides. As a result, the design of novel antiadhesive and antimicrobial surfaces will provide a way in which to reduce such fouling, transmission, contamination and infection issues. 

My work uses multidisciplinary skills to unravel the interactions of properties at the surface interface, in order to produce biomimetic, antifouling or antimicrobial surfaces. 

My work involves;

  • Development of antimicrobials / biocides
  • Hygienic status of surfaces and cleaning regimes
  • Development of the surfaces of biomaterials
  • Understanding infection in surgical site infections
  • Transmission of infections that originate from biomedical and hospital surfaces
  • Systemic links between periodontitis and the kidney
  • Development of biosensors for biomolecule detection
  • Interactions between bacteria or fungal microorganisms and substrata
  • Detection and characterisation of conditioning films and biochemical molecules at the cell-surface interface
  • Biofilm characterisation

Get in touch

0161 247 1157
E242 John Dalton Building
Since my office hours change weekly please look outside my door for availability

Impact

The development of a new cleaning algorithm

Development of a new cleaning product                                              

Work on contaminated membranes. Resulted in saving a £~300,000 p.a. account.

Work on airline glasses. Demonstrated residual marks were physical and not chemical. Secured a £~90,000 p.a. account.

Demonstrated a cleaning replacement did not work whilst newly developed product was effective. Currently worth around ~£600,000 p.a. but could increase. 

Projects

Involved with public engagement events to promote microbiology from primary schools through to industry.

  1. 2022-2025 CoI working with University of Porto on ‘Controlling bacteria and allergen contamination in the food industry using biomimetic surfaces’ funded by Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia €247 293,50
  2. 2022-2024 CoI funded by theNorthern Care Alliance (NCA) NHS Foundation Trust and MMU on Lung pathogen & microbiota roles in acute and chronic diseases. £230,000
  3. 2022 CoI with the Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Mobility Stays Abroad “Jose Castillejo” For Young Doctors entitled ‘Determination of the antimicrobial activity of different essential oils on Pseudomonas spp. on surfaces’. Total €8,100
  4. 2021-2025 CoI PhD studentship working with the University of Liverpool, Saudi Arabia government and King Khalid University on Metabolomics investigation of oral bacteria involved in chronic periodontitis to determine biomarkers indicative of systemic disease. Liverpool Metabolomics Research Centre ~£120,000
  5. 2021 CoI EU Solicitud Proyectos I + D - Convocatoria 2020 Study of blue pigmentation in fresh Canarian cheeses produced by Pseudomonas spp. Collaborator Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canarias, Spain £55,000
  6. 2021-2024 CoI EU Horizon 2020 Widespread H2020 SURFace MODification to reduce microbial and organic fouling in the food industry (SURFMOD). €830,000
  7. 2021-2022 CoI EPSRC Roadmapping Quantitative Understanding of Cleaning and Decontamination. Collaborators University of Cambridge, University of Manchester, University of Birmingham, £25,100
  8. 2021-2022 Collaborator FEUP-LEPABE Young Researcher Award Surface modification to reduce microbial and organic fouling in the dairy industry. Total €180,000
  9. 2021 PI Consultancy. Testing antimicrobial fabrics for industry. £5,000
  10. 2019 PI Consultancy. Testing cleaning formulations for industry. £11,000
  11. 2018-2022 CoI Academic PhD studentship Oral microbial markers as predictors of Chronic Kidney Disease. Liverpool John Moores £72,000
  12. 2018-2022 PI Industrial PhD studentship Cleaning and surface modification of fabrics and washing machine components to deter biofouling and biofilm formation. Industrial Collaborator £28,200
  13. 2018-2022 PI Clinical PhD studentship Wound infection following Hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) surgery – a measure of predictive surgical and transmission factors on patient outcomes. £42,000
  14. 2018-2021 CoI working with University of Copenhagen, Denmark on the Stabilization of colloidal food materials by surface engineering of bacteria. Funded by Independent Research Fund Denmark €600,000
  15. 2018 PI Consultancy. Disinfection control in water cooling tanks for industry. £10,000
  16. 2017-2020 PI KTP working with Holchem Laboratories Ltd. Use innovative surface contamination detection systems to develop a novel algorithm to relate surface contamination and processing conditions in the food processing industry to effective cleaning products and regimes to inform customer product selection. £220,000
  17. 2016-2019 PI International PhD studentship on Antimicrobial Efficacies for Metal Ions and Graphene-based Compounds Against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii and Enterococcus faecium in the Absence and Presence of Conditioning Films. £120,000
  18. 2016 BBSRC and Innovate UK with Unilever on Rational modification of lactams for improved efficacy in home care applications. £50,240
  19. 2014-2017 CoI Sir Halley Stewart Trust Modification of platelet bag surfaces for prevention of bacterial biofilm growth in platelet concentrates. £25,975
  20. 2014 PI Working for New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and the European Commission. Facilitating Research and Innovation co-operation between Europe and New Zealand. £4,200
  21. 2013-2016CoI KTPDevelopment of elastomer/textile laminates with sustained fragrance and/or antimicrobial functionality with built in bacterial/biofilm inhibition. £220,000

Teaching

Unit Leader for L7 Human Infectious Diseases

Teach on L5, L6 and MSc units.

Numerous projects for laboratory based UG, MSc and Masters by research (12 month laboratory based) projects

General microbiology

Microbial attachment/adhesion/retention to surfaces

Biofilms

Biomaterial:bacterial interactions

Mycology

Food Microbiology

Medical Microbiology

Antimicrobials

Biomaterials

Systemic disease

Subject areas

Microbiology

Surface analysis

Surface chemistry

Surface characterisation

Biochemistry

Research outputs

  1. Thomas Kerr-Phillips, Mona Damavandi, Lisa I. Pilkington, Kathryn A.
    Whitehead, Jadranka Travas-Sejdic, David Barker (2022) Effects of Neutral, Anionic and Cationic Polymer Brushes Grafted from Poly(para-phenylene vinylene) and Poly(para-phenylene ethynylene) on the Polymer’s Photoluminescent Properties in the Journal Polymers. IF4.329
     
  2. Xiaoyi Jiang, Helle Jakobe Martens, Elhamalsadat Shekarforoush, Musemma Kedir Muhammed, Kathryn A. Whitehead, Nils Arneborg, Jens Risbo,. Multi-species colloidosomes by surface-modified lactic acid bacteria with enhanced aggregation properties Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 622 (2022) 503–514 IF 9.965
  1. Kathryn A. Whitehead, Ted Deisenroth, Andrea Preuss, Christopher M. Liauw and Joanna Verran (2022)Lateral force removal of fungal spores to demonstrate how surface properties affect fungal spore retention Philosophical Transactions of the Royal society A. 380I, 2232 IF4.109
  1. Lucy E. Chambers, Aali J. Sheen, Jonathan A. Butler, and Kathryn A. Whitehead(2022) Factors affecting infection rates following Hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) surgery – a measure of surgical and bacterial factors on patient outcomes. AIMS Bioengineering 9, (2)123-144. doi:10.3934/bioeng.2022010
  1. Adele Evans, Anthony J. Slate, Millie Tobin, Stephen Lynch, Joels Wilson Nieuwenhuis, Joanna Verran, Peter Kelly and Kathryn A. Whitehead (2022) Multifractal Analysis to Determine the Effect of Surface Topography on the Distribution, Density, Dispersion and Clustering of Differently Organised Coccal-Shaped Bacteria Antibiotics 2022, 11, 551. https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11050551 IF 3.066
  1. M. Amin, B. M. Abdullah, S. J. Rowley-Neale, S.  Wylie, A. J. Slate, C. E. Banks, and K. A. Whitehead. 2022Diamine Oxidase Conjugated Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes to Facilitate Electrode Surface Homogeneity. Sensors, 22, 675. https://doi.org/10.3390/s22020675 IF 3.576
  1. Hampden-Martin A., Fothergill, J., El Mohtadi, M., Chambers, L., Slate, A. J., Whitehead, K. A., and Shokrollahi, K., (2021) Photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy coupled with the use of the photosensitizers methylene blue and temoporfin as a potential novel treatment for Staphylococcus aureus in burn infections Access Microbiology 2021;3:000273
  1. Jake McClements, Luciana C. Gomes, Joshua Spall, Fabien Saubade, Devine Akhidime, Marloes Peeters, Filipe J. Mergulhãoand Kathryn A. Whitehead(2021) Celebrating the Centenary in Polymer Science: Drawing Inspiration from Nature to Develop Anti-Fouling Coatings Pure and Applied Chemistry. IF 5.294 https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2021-0108
  1. Fabien Saubade, Lisa I. Pilkington, Christopher M. Liauw, Luciana C. Gomes, Jake McClements, Marloes Peeters, Mohamed El Mohtadi, Filipe Mergulhão and Kathryn A. Whitehead(2021) Principal Component Analysis to Determine the Surface Properties that Influence the Self-Cleaning Action of Hydrophobic Plant Leaves. Langmuir. 37, 8177−8189 IF 3.882
  1. Kirsty Nweze, Andrew Hart-Pinto, Liby Philip,Kalani Mortimer, Kathryn A. Whitehead and Kayvan Shokrollahi (2021) Recommendations for Influenza Vaccination in Burns Patients Based on a Systematic Review of the Evidence Journal of Burn Care & Research. Accepted. IF 1.923
  1. Laila Patinglag, Louise M. Melling, Kathryn A. Whitehead, David Sawtell, Alex Iles, and Kirsty J. Shaw(2021) Non-thermal plasma-based inactivation of bacteria in water using a microfluidic reactor. Water Research. 201, 117321. IF 9.130
  1. Xiaoyi Jiang, Elhamalsadat Shekarforoush, Musemma Kedir Muhammed, Kathryn Whitehead, Adam Cohen Simonsen, Nils Arneborg, Jens Risbo(2021) Efficient chemical hydrophobization of lactic acid bacteria – one-step formation of double emulsion. Food Research Intenational. 147, 110460. IF 6.30
  1. Torres, M., Slate, A. J., Akram, M.,, Iruzubieta, C. J. C., Ryder, S. F. and Whitehead, K. A.(2021) Ionic gold as an alternative antimicrobial agent against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Archives in Microbiology https://doi.org/10.1007/s00203-021-02270-1.
    1. IF 1.607
  1. Jamieson, O., Betlem, K., Mansouri, N., Crapnell, R. D., Vieira, F. S., Hudson, A., Banks, C. E., Liauw, C. M., Gruber, J., Zubko, M., Whitehead, K. A. and d , Peeters, M. (2021) Electropolymerised molecularly imprinted polymers for the heat-transfer based detection of microorganisms: A proof-of-concept study using yeast. Thermal Science and Engineering Progress, 2021, 24, 100956 IF 4.95
  1. Rajab, F. H., Tariq, A. S. T., Al-Jumaily, A. K., Al Shaer, A. W., Li, L., Whitehead, K. A. (2021) The influence of picosecond laser generated periodic structures on bacterial behaviour. Applied Surface Science 540, 148292.IF 6.182
  1. Slate, A. J., Karaky, N., Crowther, G. S., Butler, J. A., Banks, C. E., McBain, A. J., and Whitehead, K. A. (2021)Graphene Matrices as Carriers for Metal Ions against Antibiotic Susceptible and Resistant Bacterial Pathogens. Coatings 11, 3. IF 2.33
  1. Anthony J. Slate, Niall A. Hickey, Jonathan A. Butler, Daniel Wilson, Craig E. Banks and Kathryn A. Whitehead (2021)Additive Manufactured Graphene-based electrodes exhibit beneficial performances in Pseudomonas aeruginosa microbial fuel cells Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 101 60-81 IF 14.982
  1. Evans, A., Slate, A. J., Akhidime, I. D., Verran, J., Kelly, P. and Whitehead, K. A. (2021) The presence of meat exudate affects surface properties and the removal of organic material and Escherichia coli from surfaces. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 18, 3198 IF 3.390
  1. El Mohtadi, M; Whitehead, K; Dempsey-Hibbert, N; Belboul, A; Ashworth, J (2021) Estrogen deficiency - a central paradigm in age-related impaired healing? EXCLI JOURNAL, 20 99 – 116 IF 4.068
  1. Amin, M., Tang, S. Y., Shalamanova, L., Taylor, R. L., Wylie, S., Abdullah, B. M., Whitehead, K. A. (2021) Polyamine biomarkers as indicators of human disease. Biomarkers 26, 77 – 94.
  2. Whitehead, K.A., Liauw, C.M., Lynch, S., El Mohtadi, M., Preuss, A.,  Deisenroth, T., Verran, J.(2021) Diverse surface properties reveal that substratum roughness affects fungal spore binding. iScience, 2021, 24(4), 102333 IF 6.107
  1. Mohsin Amin; Andrea Preuss; Ted Deisenroth; Christopher M. Liauw; Joanna Verran; Kathryn A. Whitehead (2021) A Non-Biological System to Measure the Attachment of Fungal Spores Using AFM iScience 24, 101962 IF 6.107
  1. Basma A. Omran,Kathryn A. Whitehead, and Kwang-Hyun Baek (2021) One-pot bioinspired synthesis of fluorescent metal chalcogenide and carbon quantum dots: Applications and potential biotoxicity. Colloids and Surface B Biointerfaces 200 111578. IF 3.997
  1. Mohamed Abdel-Salam, Basma Omran, Kathryn Whitehead and Kwang-Hyun Baek (2020) Superior Properties and Biomedical Applications of Microorganism-Derived Fluorescent Quantum Dots. Molecules 25, 4486. IF 4.111
  1. Akhidime, I. D., Slate, A. J., Hulme, A. and Whitehead K. A. (2020) Surface wettability and chemistry influences Escherichia coli removal from polymeric materials in the presence of a blood conditioning film. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 17, 7368; doi:10.3390/ijerph17207368 IF 3.390
  1. El Mohtadi, M., Pilkington, L. I., Liauw, C. M., Ashworth, J., Dempsey-Hibbert, N. and Whitehead, K. A. (2020) Phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa by human U937-derived macrophages is associated with altered phagocyte biochemistry and morphology. EXCLI, 19, 1372-1384 IF 4.068
  1. Wilson-Nieuwenhuis, J., El-Mohtadi, M., Edwards, K., Whitehead, K. A. and Dempsey-Hibbert N. (2020) Factors Involved in the Onset of Infection following Bacterially Contaminated Platelet Transfusions. Platelets. DOI: 10.1080/09537104.2020.1803253 IF 3.213
  1. Slate, A. J., Whitehead, K. A., Lynch, S., Foster, C., Banks, C. E. (2020) Electrochemical Decoration Of Additively Manufactured Graphene Macroelectrodes With MoO2 Nanowires: An Approach To Determine The Surface Morphology. The Journal of Physical Chemistry Part C Section C., 124, 15377−15385. https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcc.0c04532 IF 4.167
  1. Whitehead, K. A., Liauw, C. M., Deisenroth, T., Preuss, A. and Verran J. (2020) The effect of poly (methyl methyl acrylate product ion on fungal spore retention. AIMS Bioengineering 7 (3) 165-178. IF No impact factor yet available.
  1. Butler, J. A. Osborne, L. El Mohtadi, M., BanksC. E. and WhiteheadK. A. (2020) Graphene derivatives potentiate the activity of antibiotics against Enterococcus faecium, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli. AIMS Bioengineering, 7(2), 106–113. IF No impact factor yet available.
  1. Amin, M., Rowley-Neale, S., Shalamanova, L., Lynch, S., Wilson-Nieuwenhuis, J., El Mohtadi, M., Banks, C.E. and Whitehead, K. A. (2020) Molybdenum Disulphide Surfaces to Reduce Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm Formation. ACS Materials & Interfaces. https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acsami.0c02278 IF 9.229
  1. Liauw, C. M., Deisenroth, T., Preuss, A. and Verran J. Whitehead, K. A. (2020) The effect of polyvinyl acetate and polyvinyl alcohol on the attachment, adhesion and retention of fungal spores. Journal of Polymers and the Environment. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-020-01693-z IF2.572
  1. Serra E., Saubade, F., Ligorio, C., Whitehead, K. A., Sloan, A., Williams, D. W., Hidalgo-Bastida, A., Verran, J., Malic, S. (2020) Methylcellulose hydrogel with Melissa officinalis essential oil as a potential treatment for oral candidiasis. Microorganisms. 8, 215; doi:10.3390/microorganisms8020215 IF 4.167
  1. Hickey, N., Shalamanova., L., Whitehead, K., Dempsey-Hibbert, N., Van der Gast, C., and Taylor, R. (2020). Exploring the putative interactions between chronic kidney disease and chronic periodontitis. Critical Reviews in Microbiology. https://doi.org/10.1080/1040841X.2020.1724872 IF 7.349
  1. Karaky, N., Kirby, A., McBain, A. J., Butler, J. A., El Mohtadi, M., Banks, C. E. and Whitehead, K. A. (2020) Metal ions and graphene-based compounds as alternative treatment options for burn wounds infected by antibiotic-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Archives of Microbiology. DOI 10.1007/s00203-019-01803-z IF 1.607
  1. Ferrari A. G-M., Foster, C. W., Brownson, D. A. C., Whitehead, K. A. and Banks C. E. (2019) Exploring the reactivity of distinct electron transfer sites at CVD grown monolayer graphene through the selective electrodeposition of MoO2 nanowires Scientific Reports. 9, 12814
  1. Betlem, K., Kaur, A., Hudson, A., Crapnell, R., Hurst, G., Singla, P., Zubko, M., Tedesco, S., Banks, C., Whitehead, K. and Peeters, M. (2019) A Novel Application of the Heat-Transfer Method (HTM): Real-Time Monitoring of Staphylococcus aureus Growth in Buffered Solutions and Digestate Samples. ACS Applied Biomaterials. 2, 3790-3798.
  1. Saubade, F. J., Hughes, S., Wickens, D. J., Wilson-Nieuwenhuis, J., Dempsey-Hibbert, N., Crowther, G. S., West, G., Kelly, P., Banks C. E. and Whitehead, K. A. (2019) Effectiveness of titanium nitride silver coatings against Staphylococcus spp. in the presence of BSA and whole blood conditioning films International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation. DOI information: 10.1016/j.ibiod.2018.06.016
  1. Saubade, F., Akhidime, D., Liauw, C. M., Benson, P., Verran, J. and Whitehead, K.A. (2019) The detection and effect of retained food soils on cell retention on stainless steel surfaces following use in an operational bakery. Food Bioproducts Processing. 116, 258-267.
  1. Hickey, N. A., Butler, J. A., Whitehead, K. A., Shalamanova, L., and Taylor R. L. (2019)A microbiological medium for the growth of periodontitis associated pathogens. Journal of Microbiological Methods 163 (2019) 105647
  1. Slate, A. J., Shalamanova, L., Akhidime, I. D. and Whitehead K. A. (2019)Antimicrobial Rhenium and Yttrium ions as antimicrobial agents against multidrug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii biofilms. Letters in Applied Microbiology. 1-7
  1. Akhidime, I. D., Saubade, F., Benson, P. S., Butler, J., Olivier, S., Kelly, P., Verran, J. & Kathryn A. Whitehead1 (2019) The antimicrobial effect of metal substrates on food pathogens. Food Bioproducts Processing. 113, 68–76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbp.2018.09.003
  1. Slate, A. J., Wickens, D., Wilson-Nieuwenhuis, J., Dempsey-Hibbert, N., West, G., Kelly, P., Verran, J., Banks, C. E., and Whitehead, K. A. (2019) The effects of blood conditioning films on the antimicrobial and retention properties of zirconium-nitride silver surfaces. Colloids and Surfaces B. 173 303 - 311 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfb.2018.09.060
  1. GreenhalghR., Dempsey-Hibbert, N. and WhiteheadK. A. (2019) Antimicrobial Strategies and Economic Considerations for Polymeric Medical Implants. International Journal of Biodeterioration and Biodegradation, 136 1-14 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibiod.2018.10.005
  1. Vaidya, M. Y., McBain, A. J., Banks, C. E. and Whitehead, K. A. (2019) Single and combined antimicrobial efficacies for nine metal ion solutions against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii and Enterococcus faecium. International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation. 141, 39-43.
  1. Davidson, S. J., Pilkington, L. I., Dempsey-Hibbert, N. C., El Mohtadi, M., Tang, S., Wainwright, T., Whitehead K. A., Barker, B. (2018) Modular Synthesis and Biological Investigation of 5‑Hydroxymethyl Dibenzyl Butyrolactones and Related Lignans. Molecules. 23 3057
  1. Slate, A. J., Whitehead, K. A., Brownson, D. and Banks, C. E. (2018) Microbial Fuel Cells: An Overview of Current Technology. Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 101 (2019) 60–81
  1. Slate, A., Brownson, D., Abo D.A., Smith, G, Whitehead, K., Banks, C. (2018) Exploring the Electrochemical Performance of Graphite and Graphene Paste Electrodes Composed of Varying Lateral Flake Sizes. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 2018, 20, 20010 – 20022 DOI: 10.1039/c8cp02196a
  1. McBrearty, J., Barker, D.,Damavandi, M., Wilson-Nieuwenhuis, J., Pilkington, L. I., Dempsey-Hibbert, N., Slate, A. J. and Whitehead, K. A.  (2018) Antimicrobial synergy of cationic grafted poly(para-phenylene ethynylene) and poly(para-phenylene vinylene) compounds with UV or metal ions against Enterococcus faecium.  RSc Advances. 8, 23433. DOI: 10.1039/c8ra02673d
  1. Barker, D., Damavandi, M., Pilkington, L., Malmstom, J., Whitehead, K. and Travas-Sejdic, J. (2018) Poly-p-phenylenevinylene-g-poly(2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl) trimethylammonium chloride (PPV-g-PMETAC): a fluorescent, water-soluble, selective anion sensor. Journal of Polymer Science A: Polymer Chemistry. 56, 1997-2003.
  1. Rajab, F. H., Liauw, C. M., Benson, P. S., Li, L. and Whitehead, K. A. (2018) Picosecond laser treatment production of hierarchical structured stainless steel to reduce bacterial fouling. Food Bioproducts Processing. 109 29-40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbp.2018.02.009
  1. Slate, A. J. Wickens, D. J., El Mohtadi, M., Dempsey-Hibbert, N., Banks, C. E. and Whitehead K. A. (2018) Antimicrobial activity of Ti-ZrN/Ag coatings for use in biomaterial applications. Scientific Reports. 8:1497 DOI:10.1038/s41598-018-20013-z
  1. Damavandi, M., Pilkington, L. I., Whitehead, K. A., Wilson-Nieuwenhuis, J., McBrearty, J., Dempsey-Hibbert, N., Travis-Sejdica, J. and Barker, D. (2018) Poly(para-phenylene ethynylene) (PPE)- and poly(para-phenylene vinylene) (PPV)-poly[(2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl) trimethylammonium chloride] (PMETAC) graft copolymers exhibit selective antimicrobial activity. European Polymer Journal 98 368–374.
  1. Binsaleh N. K., Wigley C. A., Whitehead, K. A., van Rensburg, M., Reynisson, J., Pilkington,L. I., Barker, D., Jones, S. and Dempsey-Hibbert, N. C. (2018) Thieno[2,3-b]pyridine derivatives are potent anti-platelet drugs, inhibiting platelet activation, aggregation and showing synergy with aspirin. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 143 1997-2004
  1. Vaidya, M. Y., McBain, A. J., Butler, J. A., Banks, C. E. and Whitehead, K. A. (2017) Antimicrobial Efficacy and Synergy of Metal Ions against Enterococcus faecium, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii in Planktonic and Biofilm Phenotypes. Scientific Reports 7: 5911 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-017-05976-9
  1. Wilson-Nieuwenhuis, J. S. T., Dempsey-Hibbert, N., Liauw, C. M. and Whitehead K. A. (2017) Surface modification of platelet concentrate bags to reduce biofilm formation and transfusion sepsis. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces 160 126–135.
  1. Rajab, F. H., Liauw, C. M., Benson, P. S., Li, L. and Whitehead, K. A. (2017) Production of hybrid macro/micro/nano surface structures on Ti6Al4V surfaces by picosecond laser surface texturing and their antifouling characteristics. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces 160 688–696 DOI:10.1016/j.colsurfb.2017.10.008
  1. Whitehead, K. A., Vaidya, M., Liauw, C. M., Brownson, D., Ramalingam, P., Kamieniak, J., Rowley-Neale, S. J., Tetlow, L. A., Wilson-Nieuwenhuis, J. S. T., Brown, D., McBain A. J., Kulandaivel, J. and Banks, C. E. (2017) Antimicrobial activity of graphene oxide-metal hybrids. International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation 123 182-190.
  1. Moreira, M.R. Gomes, L.C., Whitehead K.A, Lynch, S. Tetlow, L.A. and Mergulhão F.J (2017) Effect of surface conditioning with cellular extracts on Escherichia coli adhesion and initial biofilm formation. Food and Bioproducts Processing 104 1–12
  1. Tetlow, L. A., Lynch, S. and Whitehead K. A. (2017) The effect of surface properties on bacterial retention: A study utilising stainless steel and TiN/25.65at.%Ag substrata. Food and Bioproducts Processing 102 332–339
  1. Sheen, A. J., Saad, M., Zahid, B., Fagbemi, A., Fullwood, C., Whitehead, K. (2016) Holiday sickness’—reported exploratory outcome of over 500 United Kingdom holidaymakers with travellers’ diarrhoea. Journal of Travel Medicine, 2016, 1–7.
  1. Whitehead, K. A., Olivier, S., Benson, P. S. Arneborg, N., Verran, J. and Kelly P. (2015) The effect of surface nano-topographies and physicochemistry of polycrystalline, single phase metal coatings on bacterial retention. International Journal of Food Microbiology 97 92-92. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2014.12.030
  1. Whitehead, K. A., and Verran, J. (2015) Architecture and functionality of microbial biofilms in the food industry. Current Opinions in Food Science 2 84-91.
  1. Whitehead, K. A., Benson, P. S. and Verran, J. (2015) Application and detection methods of Listeria monocytogenes and fish soil on open surfaces in order to optimize cleaning protocols. Food and Bioproducts Processing 93 224-233. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fbp.2014.07.007
  1. Fisher, L., Ostovarpour, S., , Kelly, P., Cooke, K., Whitehead, K.A., Storgårds, E. and Verran, J. (2014) Molybdenum doped titanium dioxide photocatalytic coatings for use as hygienic surfaces - the effect of soiling on antimicrobial activity Biofouling 30 (8) 911-919
  1. Verran, J., Jackson, S.L., Coulthwaite, L., Loewy, Z. and Whitehead, K. (2014) The effect of dentifrice abrasion on denture topography, and the subsequent retention of microorganisms on abraded surfaces. Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry 112 (6) 1513-22
  1. Navabpour, P., Ostovarpour, S., Tattershall, C., Cooke, K., Kelly, P., Verran, J., Whitehead, K., Hill, C., Raulio, M., Priha, O. (2014) Photocatalytic TiO2 and doped TiO2 coatings to improve the hygiene of surfaces used in food and beverage processing – A study of the physical and chemical resistance of the coatings. Coatings 4, 433-449.
  1. Wickens, D., Lynch, S., West, G., Kelly, P., Verran, J., and Whitehead, K. A. (2014) Quantifying the pattern of microbial cell dispersion, density and clustering on surfaces of differing chemistries and topographies using multifractal analysis. Journal of Microbiological Methods 104 101–108
  1. Caballero, L., Whitehead, K. A., Allen, N. A., Verran, J. (2014) Photocatalytic inactivation of Escherichia coli using doped titanium dioxide under fluorescent irradiation. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry 276 50-57
  1. Skovager, A., Whitehead, K.A., Wickens, D., Verran, J., Ingmer, H., and Arneborg, N. (2013) A comparative study of fine polished stainless steel, TiN and TiN/Ag surfaces: Adhesion and attachment strength of Listeria monocytogenes as well as anti-listerial effect. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces 109 190-196
  1. Wickens, D. J., West, G., Kelly, P. J., Verran, J., Lynch, S., Whitehead, K. A. (2012) The antimicrobial action of nanocomposite zirconium nitride/silver coatings to combat external bone fixation pin infection. International Journal of Artificial Organs 35 (10) 817 - 825
  1. Skovager, A.,Whitehead K., Siegumfeldt, H., Ingmer, H., Verran J., Arneborg N. (2012) Influence of flow direction and flow rate on the initial adhesion of seven Listeria monocytogenes strains to fine polished stainless steel. International Journal of Food Microbiology 157 (2) 174-81
  1. Szlavik, J.  Paiva, D. S., Mørk,N., van den Berg, F., Verran, J., Whitehead, K. A.,  Arneborg, N., Knøchel, S., Nielsen, D. S. (2012) Initial adhesion of Listeria monocytogenes to solid surfaces under liquid flow. International Journal of Food Microbiology 152(3) 181-188
  1. Whitehead, K. A., Benson, P. S. Verran J. (2011) The detection of food soils on stainless steel using Energy Dispersive X-ray and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. Biofouling 27 (8) 907-917
  1. Whitehead, K. A., Li, H., Kelly, P. and Verran J. (2011) The antimicrobial properties of titanium nitride/silver nanocomposite coatings. Journal of Adhesion Science and Technology 25 2299-2315
  1. Whitehead, K. A., Deisenroth, T., Preuss, A., Liauw, C. M. and Verran, J. (2011)The effect of surface properties on the strength of attachment of fungal spores using AFM perpendicular force measurements. Colloid and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces 82 483-489
  1. Kelly, P., Whitehead K. A., Li. H., Verran, J. and Arnell, R. D. (2011) The influence of silver content on the tribological and antimicrobial properties of ZrN/Ag nanocomposite coatings. Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. 11 1-5
  1. Kelly, P., Li, H., Benson, P. S.Whitehead, K. A. and Verran J., Arnell, D. and Iordanova, I (2010) Comparison of tribological and antimicrobial properties of CrN/Ag, ZrN/Ag, TiN/Ag and CrN/Cu nanocomposite coatings. Surface Coatings and Technology 205 (5) 1606-1610
  1. Verran, J., Redfern, J., Smith, L. A. and Whitehead, K. A. (2010) A critical evaluation of sampling methods used for assessing microorganisms on surfaces Food and Bioproducts Processing, 88 (4) 335-340
  1. Verran, J., Packer, A., Kelly, P. and Whitehead K. A. (2010) Titanium-coating of stainless steel may improve cleanability. International Journal of Food Microbiology 141 S134-S139
  1. Whitehead, K.A., Smith L.A., Verran, J. (2010) The detection and influence of food soils on microorganisms on stainless steel using scanning electron microscopy and epifluorescence microscopy. International Journal of Food Microbiology 141 S125-S133
  1. Verran, J., Packer, A., Kelly, P. and Whitehead K. A. (2010) The retention of bacteria on hygienic surfaces presenting scratches of microbial dimensions Letters in Applied Microbiology 50 258-263
  1. Verran, J., Packer, A., Kelly, P. and Whitehead K. A. (2010) Use of the Atomic Force Microscope to determine the strength of bacterial attachment on grooved surface features. Journal of Adhesion Science and Technology 24 (13-4) 2271-2285
  1. Caballero, L, Whitehead, KA, Allen, NS and, Verran, J. (2010) Photoinactivation of Escherichia coli on acrylic paint formulations using fluorescent light Dyes and Pigments 86 56-62
  1. Whitehead, K. A., Kelly, P. J., Li, H., Verran, J. (2010)Surface topography and physicochemistry of silver containing titanium nitride nanocomposite coatings Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology B 28 (1) 180-187
  1. Kelly, P. J. Li, H. Whitehead, K. A. Verran, J. ArnellR. D., Iordanova, I. (2009) A study of the Anti-Microbial and Tribological Properties of TiN/Ag Nanocomposite Coatings. Surface Coatings and Technology 204 1137-1140
  1. Whitehead, K. A, Benson, P. Verran, J. (2009) Differential fluorescent staining of Listeria monocytogenes and a whey food soil for quantitative analysis of surface hygiene. International Journal of Food Microbiology 135 75-80
  1. Whitehead, K. A, Benson, P. Smith, L. A. Verran, J. (2009) The use of physicochemical methods to detect organic food soils on stainless steel surfaces. Biofouling 25 (8) 749-756
  1. Gray, F. C. Whitehead, K. A. MacNeill, S. A. (2009) Inactivating pentapeptide insertions in the fission yeast replication factor C subunit Rfc2 cluster near the ATP binding site and arginine finger motif. FEBS journal 276 4803-4813
  1. Caballero, L., Whitehead, K. A., Allen, N.S. and Verran, J. (2009) Inactivation of E. coli on immobilized TiO2 using fluorescent light. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A; Chemistry 202 (2-3) 92 - 98
  1. Whitehead, K.A. , Smith L.A. and Verran J. (2008) The detection of food soils and cells on stainless steel using industrial methods: UV illumination and ATP bioluminescence International Journal of Food Microbiology 127 (1-2) 121-128
  1. Verran, J., Airey, P. J., Packer, A. and Whitehead, K. A. (2008) Microbial retention on food contact surfaces. Advances in Applied Microbiology 64 223-246
  1. Whitehead, K. A., and Verran, J. (2007) The effect of application method on the retention of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on stainless steel, and titanium coated stainless steel of differing topographies. International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation 60 (20) 74-80
  1. Whitehead, K. A. and Verran, J. (2006) The effect of surface topography on the retention of microorganisms: A review. Food and Bioproducts Processing 84, 253-259
  1. Verran, J. and Whitehead, K. A. (2006) Assessment of organic material and microbial components on hygienic surfaces. Food and Bioproducts Processing 84 260-264
  1. Whitehead, K. A., Rodgers, D., Colligon, J., Wright, C. and Verran, J. (2006) Use of the Atomic Force Microscope to determine the effect of substratum surface topography on the ease of bacterial removal. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces 51 44-53
  1. Verran, J. and Whitehead, K. A. (2005) Factors affecting microbial adhesion to stainless steel and other materials used in medical devices. The International Journal of Artificial Organs 28 (11)1138-1145
  1. Whitehead, K. A., Colligon, J. and Verran, J. (2005) Retention of microbial cells in substratum surface features of micrometer and sub-micrometer dimensions. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces 41 129-138
  1. Whitehead, K. A., Colligon, J. and Verran, J. (2004) The production of surfaces of defined topography and chemistry for microbial retention studies using ion beam sputtering technology. International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation 54143-151
  1. Whitehead, K., Webber, G. M., and England, R. R. (1998) Accumulation of ppGpp in Streptococcus pyrogenes and Streptococcus rattus following amino acid starvation FEMS Microbiology Letters 15921-26

Book Chapters

  1. Whitehead K. A., Wilson-Nieuwenhuis, J Vaidyaand Slate, A. J. (2022) Role of surfaces in microbial phenomena at interfaces. In: Control / Prevent biological risks associated with food contamination during processing / distribution and consumer use. ISTE Group, ISTE Editions​.
  1. Slate, A. J., Karaky, N, and Whitehead K. A. (2018) Antimicrobial Properties of Modified Graphene and other Advanced 2D Material Coated Surfaces. In: Advanced 2D Material - Characterization, Production and Applications. Editors Prof. Craig E. Banks and Dr. Dale A. C. Brownson. Publishers Science Publishers (An Imprint of CRC Press/ Taylor & Francis Group) http://www.scipub.net
  1. Verran, J., Packer, A., Kelly, P. J. and Whitehead, K. A. (2010) Use of the Atomic Force Microscope to Determine the Strength of Bacterial Attachment to Grooved Surface Features. In Surface and Interfacial Aspects of Cell Adhesion. Editors Alain Carre and Kash L. Mittal. Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2010 225-239.
  1. Whitehead, K. A., and Verran, J. (2009) The effect of substratum properties on the survival of attached microorganisms on inert surfaces. In: Marine and Industrial Biofouling Eds H-C Flemming, R. Venkatesan, P. S. Murthy, K. Cooksey. Springer Series on Biofilms Springer, Germany 13-33
  1. Whitehead, K. A., and Verran, J. (2008) Biomedical devices: Microbial aspects. In: Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering. Eds A. Ochsner, W. Ahmed, N. Ali Trans Tech Publications Inc. Switzerland 473-522

Conference papers

  1. Verran, J., Bayley, K., Sandoval, G. and Whitehead, K. A. (2003) Modifying surfaces to reduce microbial retention and colonisation. Conference Proceedings 6th Meeting of the Biofilm Club. Gregynog Hall, Powys (Bioline, Cardiff) 65-72
  1. Verran, J. Boyd, R. Whitehead K. A. and Hall, K.(2003) Surface Topography and the Retention of Organic Soil and Microorganisms on Hygienic Surfaces Paint Research association Orlando, Florida USA
  1. Whitehead, K. A., Airey, P. J. and Verran, J. (2005) Organic soil and hygienic surfaces: significance, consequences and measurement. In Biofilms: Persistence and Ubiquity A. McBain, D. Allison, J. Pratten, D. Spratt, M. Upton and J. Verran (Eds) Biofilm Club, (Manchester, UK) 211-220
  1. Whitehead, K., and Verran, J. (2006) The effect of substratum surface topography on the retention of microorganisms and organic material on defined surfaces. Fouling, Cleaning and Disinfection in Food Processing Conference Proceedings, Cambridge March: 40 – 47
  1. Verran, J., Airey, P. J., and Whitehead, K. A. (2006) Assessment of organic material and microbial components on hygienic surfaces. Fouling, Cleaning and Disinfection in Food Processing Conference Proceedings, Cambridge March: 1 -7
  1. Packer, A., Kelly, P., Whitehead K. A. and Verran, J. (2007) Effects of Defined Linear Features on Surface Hygiene and Cleanability Society of Vacuum Coaters 50th Annual Technical Conference Proceedings ISSN 0737-5921 pp 90-93
  1. Packer, A., Kelly, P., Whitehead K. A. and Verran, J. (2008) Influence of Varied Defined Linear Features on the Retention of Microorganisms Proc. SVC 51st Annual Technical Conference, Chicago, April , 243-246
  1. Whitehead, K. (2009) Industrial and analytical methods for the detection of industrial food fouling VTT Symposium (Valtion Teknillinen Tutkimuskeskus) [951-38-6343-3] 13-16
  1. Packer, A., Kelly, P., Whitehead K. A. and Verran, J. (2009) Use of the Atomic Force Microscope to Determine the Effect of Defined Linear Features on the Adhesion of Bacteria. Society of Vacuum Coaters 52nd Annual Conference May 11-12, 2009
    Santa Clara, CA USA 177-180
  1. Kelly, P.J., Li, H., Whitehead, K.A.,  Verran, J., Arnell, R.D., Iordanova, I. (2009)A Study of the Anti-Microbial and Tribological Properties of TiN/Ag. 36th International Conference on Metallurgical Coatings and Thin Films San Diego USA
  1. Kelly, P.J., Li, H., Whitehead, K.A.,  Benson, P. S. and Verran, J. (2009)The influence of silver content on the tribological and antimicrobial properties of TiN/Ag ZrN/Ag nanocomposite coatings. 3rd International Meeting on Developments in Materials, Processes and Applications of Emerging Technologies”, 21-23 July 2009, Manchester, United Kingdom
  1. Kelly, P.J., Li, H., Benson, P. S., Whitehead, K.A.,  Verran, J., Arnell, R.D., Iordanova, I. (2010)Comparison of Tribological and Anti-Microbial Properties of CrN/Ag, ZrN/Ag, TiN/Ag, and TiN/Cu Nanocomposite Coatings. 37th International Conference on Metallurgical Coatings and Thin Films San Diego USA.
  1. Whitehead, K.A., Smith L.A., Benson, P. S. and Verran, J. (2010) Industrial and analytical methods for the detection of industrial fouling. Fouling and Cleaning in Food Processing Conference Proceedings, Cambridge March. 34-41
  1. Verran, J., Packer, A., Kelly, P.  and Whitehead, K.A., (2010) Surface topography and organic soil factors affecting the hygienic status of open food contact surfaces. Fouling and Cleaning in Food Processing Conference Proceedings, Cambridge March 1-6
  1. Verran, J., Redfern, J., Smith L.A. and Whitehead, K.A. (2010) A critical evaluation of sampling methods used for assessing microorganisms on surfaces. Fouling and Cleaning in Food Processing Conference Proceedings, Cambridge March 49-55
  1. Kelly, P., Li, H., Whitehead, K. A. and Verran J. (2010) Comparison of tribiological and antimicrobial properties of TiN/Ag and ZrN/Ag nanocomposite coatings. Fouling and Cleaning in Food Processing Conference Proceedings, Cambridge March 16-23
  1. Szlavik, J., Paiva, D.S., Mork, N., van den Berg, F., Verran, J., Whitehead, K., Knochel, S., Nielsen, D.S., 2010. Initial adhesion of Listeria monocytogenes to solid surfaces under liquid flow  22nd Symposium of the International Committee on Food Microbiology and Hygiene (ICFMH) on Microbial Behaviour in the Food Chain (Food Micro) L. Int Comm Food Microbiol & Hyg (ICFMH), Copenhagen, Denmark.
  1. Whitehead, K.A., Benson, P. S. and Verran, J. (2014) Application and detection methods of Listeria monocytogenes and fish soil on open surfaces in order to optimize cleaning protocols.Fouling and Cleaning in Food Processing Conference Proceedings, Cambridge 31st March – 2nd April 149-156
  1. Verran, J., Ostovarpour, S., Fisher, L., Whitehead, K.A., Kelly, P., and Storgårds, E. (2014) Investigating the potential for the use of photocatalytic surfaces in process hygiene in the brewing industry. Fouling and Cleaning in Food Processing Conference Proceedings, Cambridge 31st March – 2nd April 136 – 143
  1. Whitehead, K.A. Olivier, S., Hughes, S., Benson, P. Sawtell, D., Tetlow, L. Amamchukwu, K. and Kelly, P. (2015) Antimicrobial and anti-adhesive surfaces to combat microbial and organic fouling in the food industry. Heat Exchanger Fouling and Cleaning. Enfield Dublin Ireland June 7th-12th.
  1. Rajab F, Benson PS, Li L, Whitehead KA (2017) Picosecond Laser Surface Micro/Nano Texturing of Stainless Steel as a Method to Reduce the Adhesion of Bacteria. 18th International Symposium on Laser Precision Microfabrication, Toyama, Japan, 05 Jun 2017 - 08 Jun 2017. Proceedings of LPM2017 - the 18th International Symposium on Laser Precision Microfabrication.
  1. Iduma Devine Akhidime1, Fabien Saubade1, Paul S. Benson1, Jonathan Butler1, Sebastien Olivier2, Peter Kelly3, Joanna Verran1 & Kathryn A. Whitehead1* (2018) The antimicrobial effect of metal substrates on food pathogens. Fouling and Cleaning in Food Processing 2018 17-20th April Lund, Sweden. Conference paper.
  1. Fabien Saubade, Kathryn A. Whitehead*, Paul Benson & Joanna Verran (2018) Comparison of detection methods used to determine Escherichia coli and meat exudate removal from stainless steel surfaces following different physical cleaning methods. Fouling and Cleaning in Food Processing 2018 17-20th April Lund, Sweden. Conference paper.
  1. L. Patinglag1, D. Sawtell1, A. Iles2, L. Melling1 K. Whitehead1 and K.J. Shaw(2018) Evaluation of a microfluidic atmospheric-pressure plasma reactor for water treatment. International Symposium on Non-Thermal/Thermal Plasma Pollution Control Technology and Sustainable Energy (ISNTP-11), Italy, July 2018
  1. Kathryn A. Whitehead1*, Lisa I. Pilkington2, Anthony J. Slate3, Fabien Saubade1, Mohsin Amin1, Adrian Lutey4, Laura Gemini5, Rainer Kling5 and Luca Romoli4* CLEANABILITY OF LASER ETCHED BIOMIMETIC SURFACES WITH REPEATED STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS AND MILK FOULING Food Cleaning and Food Processing Conference Lille, France, May 2022.
  1. L.C. Gomes1,2, F. Saubade3, M. Amin3, J. Spall3, C.M. Liauw3, F.J. Mergulhão1,2 & K.A. Whitehead3*BIOMIMETIC REPLICATION OF BRASSICA LEAVES AND THEIR EFFICACY TO PREVENT BIOFOULING OF Escherichia coli AND Listeria monocytogenes. Food Cleaning and Food Processing Conference Lille, France, May 2022.
  1. D.I. Wilson[1]1, G. Christie1, P.J. Fryer2, I.M. Hall3, J.R. Landel3 and K.A. Whitehead4Lessons to learn from roadmapping in cleaning and decontamination. Food Cleaning and Food Processing Conference Lille, France, May 2022.