Susan Mikkelsen

• Molecular and Biomolecular Recognition for Selective Analytical Sensors and Assays
• Electroanalytical Methods for the Sensitive Detection of Biomolecular Analytes
• Novel Recognition Mechanisms and Agents for Chemical Sensors, Biosensors and Bioassays

Modern analytical instrumentation allows the analysis of solutions so dilute that single molecules can be detected, provided that no interfering species are present. Susan Mikkelsen's research has involved the selectivity aspect of analytical assays and sensors to overcome interferences that exist in such matrices as biological or environmental samples. Her research program has investigated both natural and biomimetic recognition methods in an effort to distinguish the analyte species from closely-related potential interferents. 

Analytes range in size from small molecules, like glucose or cysteine, to intact, viable microorganisms.  Natural recognition has exploited enzymes, antibodies, lectins or chemoreceptors either as bioassay reagents or, once immobilized on a transducer surface, as the biorecognition components of biosensors.  Biomimetic recognition has included the use of computational pattern recognition methods to selectively recognize the analyte.

Her research has led to global collaborations, in Europe, South America and Asia. She currently collaborates with an experimental colleague in Argentina, who has also coauthored a recent textbook. Her new focus involves summarizing and condensing the scholarly literature, through the publication of focused review articles, book chapters and textbooks.

Susan Mikkelsen teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses. Course offerings have included topics in analytical chemistry, multi-component analysis, bioanalytical chemistry, electroanalytical chemistry and introductory physical & chemical properties of matter. Susan also coordinates the M.Sc. seminar course.

Recent publications include

• E. Corton and S. R. Mikkelsen, “Electrochemical Arrays for Bioassay Applications,” in Bioanalytical Reviews: Trends in Bioelectroanalysis, F.-M. Matysik, Ed., Springer, New York, 2016. Chapter 4.
• S. R. Mikkelsen and E. Corton, “Bioanalytical Chemistry,” Second Edition, 19 Chapters, 463 pp. including references, problems and answers. ISBN 9781118302545 (cloth) and 9781119057635 (epub). John Wiley & Sons Inc., New Jersey, 2016.
• M. Rahimi and S. R. Mikkelsen, “Cyclic Biamperometry at Micro-Interdigitated Electrodes,” Anal. Chem. 83, 2011, 7555-7559.
• Z. Qian, M. Khan, S. Mikkelsen and P. Chen, “Improved Enzyme Immobilization on an Ionic-Complementary-Peptide-Modified Electrode for Biomolecular Sensing,” Langmuir 26, 2010, 2176-2180.
• M. Rahimi and S. R. Mikkelsen, “Cyclic Biamperometry,” Anal. Chem. 82, 2010, 1779-1785.
• T. S. Mann, L. O’Hagan, P. Ertl, D. I. Sparkes and S. R. Mikkelsen, “Microplate-Compatible Biamperometry Array for Parallel 48-Channel Amperometric or Coulometric Measurements,” Anal. Chem. 80, 2008, 2988-2992.

Recent patents include

• S. R. Mikkelsen, P. Ertl, D. Sparkes, L. O'Hagan, T. Mann, P. Ullrich, "Assay for the Identification of Microorganisms," PCT Patent Application Number WO2005056818
• S. R. Mikkelsen and P. Ertl, "Assay for the Identification of Microorganisms," Provisional U.S. Patent Application Number 60/529,403, filed December 15, 2003.
• S. R. Mikkelsen and P. Ertl, “Rapid Electrochemical Assay for Antibiotic and Cytotoxic Drug Susceptibility in Microorganisms”, Canadian Patent Number 2,299,906, granted June 6, 2004.  Assignee:  Mount Sinai Services Inc.
• S. R. Mikkelsen and P. Ertl, “Rapid Electrochemical Assay for Antibiotic and Cytotoxic Drug Susceptibility in Microorganisms”, U.S. Patent No. 6,391,577 B1, granted May 21, 2002.   Assignee:  Mount Sinai Services Inc.
• J. R. Martin, E. Souteyrand, M. F. Lawrence and S. R. Mikkelsen, “Method for Analyzing Biological Substances in a Conducting Liquid Medium”, U.S. Patent No. 6,355,436, granted March 12, 2002.  Currently licensed to Affymetrix Inc.

• NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship 1988-9
• PGS Scholarships from FCAC and NSERC, 1986-8
• T. Sterry Hunt Award, 1986

• Member of the Guelph-Waterloo Centre for Graduate Work in Chemistry and Biochemistry
• Member of the Institute of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

• Associate Graduate Officer (Main duty is Chem 794), 2012-present     
• Member, USRA Evaluation/Recommendation Committee, 2012-present     
• Faculty of Science Task Force “Communication for Scientists Training Initiative”, 2015
• Chair, Strategic Planning Subcommittee (Entrepreneurship), 2012
• Oral presentation judge at SOUSCC, Biological and Medicinal Chem. Session, 2011
• Executive Committee, 2009-10
• NCMDD Proposal Committee (Nat. Ctr. for Med. Device Development), 2008-09

1988 Ph.D. Analytical Chemistry, McGill University, QC

1982 B.Sc., University of British Columbia, BC