Research Theme
The focus of research in our lab has been on identification of novel anti-microbial peptides (AMPs) and development of advanced nano-scale materials to treat biofilm infections.
The microbial biofilm infections have become a major health issue of concern worldwide. Over 80% of microbial infections including many chronic diseases in humans are associated with biofilm. It is estimated that nearly 50% of nosocomial infections are associated with biofilm formation. In addition, biofilm infection is also one of the leading causes for making implanted medical devices malfunctional or nonfunctional.
Despite long-term treatment and high dosage, conventional antibiotic treatments often fail to completely suppress the infection. The thick EPS matrix of the biofilm limits the penetration of antimicrobial agents into the deeper layers of the biofilm. The polysaccharides and eDNA being the integral components of EPS matrix are known to trap several kinds of antibiotics. Due to weakened activity of antibiotics in the inherent acidic microenvironment (pH: 4.5-6.5) of biofilm, cells in biofilm develop an extreme level of resistance to antibiotics. Further, horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistant genes also contributes to the antibiotic resistance in biofilm. In addition, the mutation of the target site, accumulation of antibiotic degrading enzymes, enhanced expression of efflux pump genes are also responsible for the antibiotics resistance of biofilm.
Thus, world-wide emergence and rapid spread of drug resistant bacterial strains has become a threat to human health. Multidrug resistant (MDR) pathogens like Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii have become the major cause of life-threatening nosocomial infections worldwide. This health issue has become more alarming, particularly in third-world countries, where the usage of antibiotics is not monitored appropriately. Therefore, development of new broad-spectrum antibacterial and antibiofilm agent with novel target and new approach is very necessary to overcome this critical situation.
Research Objectives
1. Identification of novel antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) produced by human gut microbiota as an effective antibacterial and antibiofilm agent against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
2. Development of advanced nano-scale materials to treat biofilm infections from Pseudomonas aeruginosa and understanding the underlying molecular mechanism.
The focus of research in our lab has been on identification of novel anti-microbial peptides (AMPs) and development of advanced nano-scale materials to treat biofilm infections.
The microbial biofilm infections have become a major health issue of concern worldwide. Over 80% of microbial infections including many chronic diseases in humans are associated with biofilm. It is estimated that nearly 50% of nosocomial infections are associated with biofilm formation. In addition, biofilm infection is also one of the leading causes for making implanted medical devices malfunctional or nonfunctional.
Despite long-term treatment and high dosage, conventional antibiotic treatments often fail to completely suppress the infection. The thick EPS matrix of the biofilm limits the penetration of antimicrobial agents into the deeper layers of the biofilm. The polysaccharides and eDNA being the integral components of EPS matrix are known to trap several kinds of antibiotics. Due to weakened activity of antibiotics in the inherent acidic microenvironment (pH: 4.5-6.5) of biofilm, cells in biofilm develop an extreme level of resistance to antibiotics. Further, horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistant genes also contributes to the antibiotic resistance in biofilm. In addition, the mutation of the target site, accumulation of antibiotic degrading enzymes, enhanced expression of efflux pump genes are also responsible for the antibiotics resistance of biofilm.
Thus, world-wide emergence and rapid spread of drug resistant bacterial strains has become a threat to human health. Multidrug resistant (MDR) pathogens like Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii have become the major cause of life-threatening nosocomial infections worldwide. This health issue has become more alarming, particularly in third-world countries, where the usage of antibiotics is not monitored appropriately. Therefore, development of new broad-spectrum antibacterial and antibiofilm agent with novel target and new approach is very necessary to overcome this critical situation.
Research Objectives
1. Identification of novel antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) produced by human gut microbiota as an effective antibacterial and antibiofilm agent against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
2. Development of advanced nano-scale materials to treat biofilm infections from Pseudomonas aeruginosa and understanding the underlying molecular mechanism.