Professor of Analytical Biotechnology, Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge

Lisa Hall is Professor of Analytical Biotechnology and Former Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology. Lisa’s research team is focused on Biosensors, interfacing molecular signalling systems and/or principles of mechanism and action, with transduction technologies to achieve diagnostic devices and monitoring capability. This research is directed towards medical, environmental and industrial application and bridges fundamental investigation and precompetitive application-orientated collaboration with industry. A key area of her research is in the design of analytical reagents with recognition and transduction capability. Her work spans from protein engineering and synthetic chemistry to electrochemistry and optical physics and her interests include: molecular sensors: optics and electrochemistry; polymeric materials for immobilisation of biological molecules; charge transfer to redox proteins or whole cells; optical surfaces; impedance spectroscopy.

She has become a key driver in Analytical Biotechnology in Cambridge, and in facilitation of new interdisciplinary science, to maintain and increase an international profile in the field. She is recipient of the 2006 Gold Medal from the Royal Society of Chemistry for innovation and leadership in Analytical Science. She is co-leader of the CAMbridgeSENS initiative and is investigating opportunities for extending the pillars that connect CAM-bridge-SENS activities to monitoring and clinical management of disease.

Lisa’s current research programmes include: - Biosensor protein engineering: novel protein manipulation for analysis. From particulate proteins to redox protein mutants to binding proteins. - ANSors (analytical nanosphere sensors): spatial and temporal resolution aimed at intracellular measurements and 2-D and 3-D structure assemblies. - Bioactive ANSors: immunoassay to DNA - Surface plasmon resonance: wavelength and angle scanning formats for bioassay. Design tools for instrumentation and material design. - Electrochemically active polymers - Ion Selective electrodes and optodes - Synzyme-like ligands for biosensors.