Category |
Number |
Running total |
Books* |
41 (excluding new editions)48 (with new additions) |
41 |
Booklets and monographs |
13 |
54 |
Book chapters** |
120 |
174 |
Peer reviewed papers |
236 |
410 |
White papers |
17 |
425 |
Technical articles |
637 |
1,047 |
University courses authored |
15 |
|
Training packages |
5 |
|
Commissioned reports and working papers |
7 |
|
Written papers for conferences |
14 |
|
Technical guides |
15 |
|
Interviews (published) |
35 |
|
Poster abstracts |
1 |
|
Other published writing |
21 |
|
Self-published industry aids |
6 |
|
Pharmaceutical Microbiology Resources. Edited by Professor Tim Sandle (established 2009)
Showing posts with label Tim Sandle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tim Sandle. Show all posts
Saturday, 28 February 2026
Publications by Tim Sandle
Monday, 2 February 2026
Saturday, 20 December 2025
Season's greetings
Thank you for supporting Pharmaceutical Microbiology Resources!
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Posted by Dr. Tim Sandle, Pharmaceutical Microbiology Resources (http://www.pharmamicroresources.com/)
Wednesday, 1 October 2025
Contamination control strategies
What if contamination control wasn’t just about cleanrooms and SOPs, but about mindset, design, and scientific curiosity?
Pharma Now × Pharmig proudly present this knowledge-packed session featuring two industry powerhouses: Professor Tim Sandle and Manish Bhatkar. If you work in pharmaceutical microbiology, sterile manufacturing, or quality assurance, this is a must-watch deep dive into the evolving landscape of contamination control
Posted by Dr. Tim Sandle, Pharmaceutical Microbiology Resources (http://www.pharmamicroresources.com/)
Wednesday, 3 September 2025
New book from Tim Sandle
Posted by Dr. Tim Sandle, Pharmaceutical Microbiology Resources (http://www.pharmamicroresources.com/)
Sunday, 4 September 2022
Tim Sandle's publications list, 2022 update
Here is an updated list of my published works:
Publications by Tim Sandle - 5th edition by Tim Sandle on Scribd
Posted by Dr. Tim Sandle, Pharmaceutical Microbiology Resources (http://www.pharmamicroresources.com/)
Sunday, 13 September 2020
Microbiology Roundtable
Here is an extract:
Question: Looking back at the last year, what are some critical industry issues affecting efforts to detect and eliminate microbiological contaminants?
Sandle: There has been some interesting developments with microbial detection technology. As with most technological waves, developments spring from outside of the pharma sector and then become adopted later (such is the conservative nature of our sector).
It’s clear that we need platforms for rapid detection and characterization of microbial agents are critically needed to prevent and respond to contamination issues. The advancement of such technologies can help, at last, for microbial methods to fit in with the process analytical technology paradigm.
I think the area that will grow fastest is with monitoring pharmaceutical water systems for microbial contamination. This includes miniaturized biomolecular techniques and real-time monitoring systems, taking the form of online meters, such as ATP-metry and flow cytometry.
As such instruments develop, so do the key operational metrics like speed to results, identification depth, reproducibility, and multiparametricity.
Thursday, 16 July 2020
Review of the efficacy of HEPA filtered air to control coronavirus risks in cleanrooms
The risk of viral transmission in the built
environment is a matter of concern in the era of the novel coronavirus
pandemic, for most of society, given that humans spent the majority of their
time indoors. For pharmaceuticals and healthcare, there is an additional
concern about working in cleanrooms and the degree to which protective measures
are appropriate. With cleanrooms, an important concern is with the efficacy of
HEPA filters. This article looks at the risks stemming from SARS-CoV-2 and
applies these to the cleanroom context. The article concludes that the
cleanroom environment does not contribute to the risk of viral transmission,
and certain design aspects can, in fact, reduce the risk compared with other
built environments.
Tim Sandle has written a new paper. The reference is:
Sandle, T. (2020) Review of the efficacy of HEPA
filtered air to control coronavirus risks in cleanrooms, European Journal of
Parenteral and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Volume 25 Issue 2
https://www.ejpps.online/
https://doi.org/10.37521/ejpps
Posted by Dr. Tim Sandle, Pharmaceutical Microbiology Resources (http://www.pharmamicroresources.com/)
Monday, 15 July 2019
An interview with Dr. Tim Sandle
Dr Tim Sandle is currently Head of Microbiology and Sterility Assurance at Bio Products Laboratory Limited. Here he talks to the Microbiology Society about his current role, his area of research and the importance of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as a health issue. He also explains why he joined the Microbiology Society and offers advice for anyone thinking about a career change.
You are currently Head of Microbiology and Sterility Assurance: tell us more about your role with Bio Products Laboratory Limited.
I am responsible for heading up four departments. One is associated with supporting the manufacturing areas in terms of assessing cleanrooms for levels of microorganisms in the air and on surfaces for assessing product bioburden, microbial levels in water, screening samples for bacterial endotoxin and verifying that the finished product is sterile. The second area is associated with the development of novel microbial methods, the qualification of equipment, and dealing with regulatory submissions. The third area is to do with risk assessments, carried out in order to lower microbial contamination risks in process areas and to investigate when high microbial levels are recovered. The fourth area is linked to proactive practices to improve hygiene and to support new technologies. My role is to ensure these different entities connect together and to develop appropriate policies and standards in order to enhance sterility assurance.
Why did you choose to become a microbiologist?
I was always interested in biology: as a child, I was encouraged by my grandfather to take an interest in the natural world. I started off with an interest in biological sciences in general and was encouraged by a teacher to consider the importance of microbiology in health and disease.
Do you have any advice for anyone thinking about a career change and making a brave move from academia to industry?
The key attraction with industry is the ability to research and develop life-saving medicines and see these come to fruition. However, it is a different working experience and there are different types of pressures (these days both academia and industry are subject to increasing cost and time demands). Certainly, in industry there is a need to produce and release on schedule, otherwise this creates financial complexities. However, the work is very varied and there remains opportunities to engage in research and to produce papers. I’ve certainly managed to continue to contribute to peer-reviewed papers and book chapters. There also remains the opportunity to present at conferences.
Tell us about your biggest professional achievement(s) so far.
Some of the recent research I’ve been undertaking has concerned a partly overlooked issue of whether organisms that are resistant to antimicrobials have enhanced resistance to biocides. Although there is no direct evidence that organisms can acquire resistance to disinfectants, organisms that are resistant to antimicrobials may be harder to kill with the disinfectants commonly used in the pharmaceutical or healthcare setting. There is some evidence of this with some organisms, which calls for a renewed focus on aspects of disinfectant efficacy, like the minimum inhibitory concentration.
Tell us about your area of research?
The research is mostly applied. Over the past few years I’ve been working with microbiologists in Saudi Arabia, principally Dr Vijayakumar Rajendran, to determine the frequency of biocide resistant genes (e.g. qacA, qacE and cepA) in multidrug resistant bacteria, such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii, and to correlate the presence or absence of resistant genes with biocides susceptibility. We’ve written several papers looking at different organisms and different biocides, assessing whether organisms that are antimicrobial resistant are also more resistant to common disinfectants. The research may have an impact on how pharmaceuticals and healthcare works, such as the need to reassess minimum inhibitory concentrations.
What have you done to try to maximise the impact of your research?
The research is ongoing and the full implications have yet to be realised; however, the research is showing a new dimension to the antimicrobial issue. The main thing in terms of impact is kicking-off discussion about overlooked areas in relation to AMR, which should help to encourage other researchers to consider different perspectives. Outside of this, I publicise where I can the importance of taking steps to reduce AMR, especially when different international campaigns are taking place. Social media provides a great outlet for this.
How important is AMR as a health issue?
It is an issue of great importance. Humans face the very real risk of a future without antibiotics. The implications of this are that life expectancy could fall due to people dying from diseases that are readily treatable today. In the last two decades, the rate at which bacteria are becoming resistant to current antibiotic treatments has substantially increased. For example, this trend is threatening the ability of medical staff to carry out routine operations or transplants in the future.
In your opinion, which areas of research are likely to have greatest impact on tackling AMR in the future?
Scientists have a role in addressing AMR even if they are not directly involved with AMR research or practices. This is by helping to promote best practices, such as avoiding the mis-prescribing of antibiotics to patients or though seeking better practices and alternatives to antibiotics in terms of rearing animals. One key research area that will have the greatest impact is in the search for new antimicrobials. There are some interesting ones in development, such as Dalvance, an intravenous drug that can treat skin and soft tissue infections; Oritavancin, a lipoglycopeptide with bactericidal activity against Gram-positive bacteria; and Teixobactin, a peptide-like secondary metabolite found in some bacteria that kills some Gram-positive bacteria and which has received the most media attention. The search for new antimicrobials, however, needs to continue, and the spectrum of searching needs to extend to areas of low human contact, such as deep in caves or parts of the oceans.
Do you have any advice for early career scientists who’d like to work in AMR?
First, research into AMR is a long process and there are many routes that do not lead to anything tangible. Patience is important. Second, potential candidate drugs to address AMR can come from the most unlikely of places, so keeping an open mind is also important.
The Microbiology Society is often seen as a Society for academics. What would you say to disperse this myth? What are the main benefits of being a member?
The Microbiology Society provides topical material for microbiologists in all sorts of occupations, not just academia. In recent years there has been a variety of different topics that connect what is being researched in universities to what needs to be developed by industry in order to meet healthcare demands – the hunt for new antimicrobials being a prime example. The Microbiology Society is so varied, and this richness leads to a range of different subject matter that enhances knowledge across both academia and industry. The sharing of ideas across these two sectors is to the benefit of all professional microbiologists. It provides an important arena for networking and sharing ideas across a range of different microbiological disciplines. It also plays a vital role in promoting the interaction between microbiologists and the general public, helping to educate and to engage.
And finally, why does microbiology matter?
Microbiology matters because it impacts across every aspect of society, from food production to global warming (such as toxic algal blooms); to the development of new medicines through biotechnology; for protecting the manufacture of medicines from contamination; and, of course, in protecting people from disease and with fighting diseases. Through being involved with any of these fields, you can make a difference.
Are you a member and interested in sharing stories about your research journey? Email members@microbiologysociety.org. March 2019
Source: https://microbiologysociety.org/membership/meet-our-members/an-interview-with-dr-tim-sandle.html
Posted by Dr. Tim Sandle, Pharmaceutical Microbiology
You are currently Head of Microbiology and Sterility Assurance: tell us more about your role with Bio Products Laboratory Limited.
I am responsible for heading up four departments. One is associated with supporting the manufacturing areas in terms of assessing cleanrooms for levels of microorganisms in the air and on surfaces for assessing product bioburden, microbial levels in water, screening samples for bacterial endotoxin and verifying that the finished product is sterile. The second area is associated with the development of novel microbial methods, the qualification of equipment, and dealing with regulatory submissions. The third area is to do with risk assessments, carried out in order to lower microbial contamination risks in process areas and to investigate when high microbial levels are recovered. The fourth area is linked to proactive practices to improve hygiene and to support new technologies. My role is to ensure these different entities connect together and to develop appropriate policies and standards in order to enhance sterility assurance.Why did you choose to become a microbiologist?
I was always interested in biology: as a child, I was encouraged by my grandfather to take an interest in the natural world. I started off with an interest in biological sciences in general and was encouraged by a teacher to consider the importance of microbiology in health and disease.
Do you have any advice for anyone thinking about a career change and making a brave move from academia to industry?
The key attraction with industry is the ability to research and develop life-saving medicines and see these come to fruition. However, it is a different working experience and there are different types of pressures (these days both academia and industry are subject to increasing cost and time demands). Certainly, in industry there is a need to produce and release on schedule, otherwise this creates financial complexities. However, the work is very varied and there remains opportunities to engage in research and to produce papers. I’ve certainly managed to continue to contribute to peer-reviewed papers and book chapters. There also remains the opportunity to present at conferences.
Tell us about your biggest professional achievement(s) so far.
Some of the recent research I’ve been undertaking has concerned a partly overlooked issue of whether organisms that are resistant to antimicrobials have enhanced resistance to biocides. Although there is no direct evidence that organisms can acquire resistance to disinfectants, organisms that are resistant to antimicrobials may be harder to kill with the disinfectants commonly used in the pharmaceutical or healthcare setting. There is some evidence of this with some organisms, which calls for a renewed focus on aspects of disinfectant efficacy, like the minimum inhibitory concentration.
Tell us about your area of research?
The research is mostly applied. Over the past few years I’ve been working with microbiologists in Saudi Arabia, principally Dr Vijayakumar Rajendran, to determine the frequency of biocide resistant genes (e.g. qacA, qacE and cepA) in multidrug resistant bacteria, such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii, and to correlate the presence or absence of resistant genes with biocides susceptibility. We’ve written several papers looking at different organisms and different biocides, assessing whether organisms that are antimicrobial resistant are also more resistant to common disinfectants. The research may have an impact on how pharmaceuticals and healthcare works, such as the need to reassess minimum inhibitory concentrations.
What have you done to try to maximise the impact of your research?
The research is ongoing and the full implications have yet to be realised; however, the research is showing a new dimension to the antimicrobial issue. The main thing in terms of impact is kicking-off discussion about overlooked areas in relation to AMR, which should help to encourage other researchers to consider different perspectives. Outside of this, I publicise where I can the importance of taking steps to reduce AMR, especially when different international campaigns are taking place. Social media provides a great outlet for this.
How important is AMR as a health issue?
It is an issue of great importance. Humans face the very real risk of a future without antibiotics. The implications of this are that life expectancy could fall due to people dying from diseases that are readily treatable today. In the last two decades, the rate at which bacteria are becoming resistant to current antibiotic treatments has substantially increased. For example, this trend is threatening the ability of medical staff to carry out routine operations or transplants in the future.
In your opinion, which areas of research are likely to have greatest impact on tackling AMR in the future?
Scientists have a role in addressing AMR even if they are not directly involved with AMR research or practices. This is by helping to promote best practices, such as avoiding the mis-prescribing of antibiotics to patients or though seeking better practices and alternatives to antibiotics in terms of rearing animals. One key research area that will have the greatest impact is in the search for new antimicrobials. There are some interesting ones in development, such as Dalvance, an intravenous drug that can treat skin and soft tissue infections; Oritavancin, a lipoglycopeptide with bactericidal activity against Gram-positive bacteria; and Teixobactin, a peptide-like secondary metabolite found in some bacteria that kills some Gram-positive bacteria and which has received the most media attention. The search for new antimicrobials, however, needs to continue, and the spectrum of searching needs to extend to areas of low human contact, such as deep in caves or parts of the oceans.
Do you have any advice for early career scientists who’d like to work in AMR?
First, research into AMR is a long process and there are many routes that do not lead to anything tangible. Patience is important. Second, potential candidate drugs to address AMR can come from the most unlikely of places, so keeping an open mind is also important.
The Microbiology Society is often seen as a Society for academics. What would you say to disperse this myth? What are the main benefits of being a member?
The Microbiology Society provides topical material for microbiologists in all sorts of occupations, not just academia. In recent years there has been a variety of different topics that connect what is being researched in universities to what needs to be developed by industry in order to meet healthcare demands – the hunt for new antimicrobials being a prime example. The Microbiology Society is so varied, and this richness leads to a range of different subject matter that enhances knowledge across both academia and industry. The sharing of ideas across these two sectors is to the benefit of all professional microbiologists. It provides an important arena for networking and sharing ideas across a range of different microbiological disciplines. It also plays a vital role in promoting the interaction between microbiologists and the general public, helping to educate and to engage.
And finally, why does microbiology matter?
Microbiology matters because it impacts across every aspect of society, from food production to global warming (such as toxic algal blooms); to the development of new medicines through biotechnology; for protecting the manufacture of medicines from contamination; and, of course, in protecting people from disease and with fighting diseases. Through being involved with any of these fields, you can make a difference.
Are you a member and interested in sharing stories about your research journey? Email members@microbiologysociety.org. March 2019
Source: https://microbiologysociety.org/membership/meet-our-members/an-interview-with-dr-tim-sandle.html
Posted by Dr. Tim Sandle, Pharmaceutical Microbiology
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