Indian Institute of Information Technology, Allahabad
भारतीय सूचना प्रौद्योगिकी संस्थान, इलाहाबाद
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DR. SAMANTA'S RESEARCH GROUP
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.
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IIIT-Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh 211 015, India