We are delighted to share that an RSC Advances article published by Dr. Ashish D. Patel and co-authors, titled “Nanotechnology as a cutting-edge solution to combat antimicrobial resistance” has been recognized by the World Health Organisation (WHO) India in Antimicrobial Resistance Sameeksha review (Volume 31, November 2024)! This is an excellent accomplishment and we would like to congratulate all of the authors involved!
Dr. Ashish Patel is a researcher and academic with expertise in nanotechnology, particularly in the synthesis and application of nanoparticles for environmental and biomedical solutions. He has a strong background in material science, environmental engineering, and the use of nanomaterials for sustainable solutions. Dr. Patel currently serves as Associate Professor and Senior Researcher at Hemchandracharya North Gujarat University, where he leads a research group dedicated to exploring novel methods for biomedical application and environmental remediation using advanced nanomaterials. He has contributed to several high-impact publications in peer-reviewed journals and continues to collaborate with both academic and industry partners to apply his research in real-world settings. He also mentors Masters, Ph.D. and postdoctoral researchers, guiding them through projects related to nanomaterial synthesis and applications. With a commitment to advancing sustainable technologies and contributing to the scientific community, Dr. Patel remains dedicated to both his research and his role in academic and industry collaborations.
Dr Dhiraj Bhatia obtained his PhD from NCBS-TIFR in Bangalore, India, in DNA nanotechnology. Post PhD he went to the Curie Institute in Paris to join the team of Ludger Johannes initially as a Curie fellow and later as an HFSP long-term fellow where he developed cellular and biological applications of DNA nanodevices. In 2018, he moved to India to start his own laboratory at the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar where he is an Associate Professor, and was Ramanujan fellow till 2023. His lab focusses on the translational aspects of DNA nanotechnology to develop tools to program biological systems for biomedical applications. He is currently a member of INYAS-INSA and also a scientific advisor for the startup company Q-Nano-Sol Biotech (QNANOSOL Pvt Ltd).
Dr. Dipak Kumar Sahoo works as a Research Scientist-III (Associate Graduate Faculty) at the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University. He has an extensive research background of over 20 years with a doctoral degree (from Utkal University, India) and postdoctoral training (from Iowa State University, USA & University of Kentucky, USA) in animal biology, specific training and expertise in working with various disease models, cancer biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics and ex vivo organoid studies, and has more than 100 research publications. He was also recognized as a “Top Peer Reviewer” in Biochemistry, Genetics, and Molecular Biology and received the “Sentinels of Science Award” in 2016. His current research focuses on developing molecular markers linked with colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel diseases and sepsis, as well as the impact of antioxidants/oxidative stress in various pathophysiological conditions.
Could you briefly explain the focus of your review to the non-specialist (in one or two sentences only) and why it is of current interest?
The review focuses on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and how nanomaterials can offer new solutions to combat resistant infections. This is of current interest due to the growing inability of traditional antibiotics to treat resistant bacterial strains, creating an urgent need for alternative treatments.
What are the most significant challenges in combatting AMR?
The main challenges in tackling AMR include the rapid development of resistance by bacteria, the limited number of new antibiotics being introduced to the market, and the slow and often inaccurate diagnostics that make it difficult to identify resistant infections in time.
How do nanomaterials address these issues compared to traditional antibiotics?
Nanomaterials address these challenges by offering alternative mechanisms to fight infections. They can disrupt bacterial cell structures, bypass common resistance pathways, and deliver drugs more effectively to the infection site, unlike traditional antibiotics that often lose their effectiveness over time.
Can you briefly highlight some of the most promising nanomedicines and their mechanisms of action?
Some of the most promising nanomedicines include silver nanoparticles, which break down bacterial cell membranes, and magnetic nanoparticles, which can target infections more precisely using external magnetic fields. Carbon-based nanomaterials also show potential in disrupting bacterial communication and preventing biofilm formation.
Which type of nanomedicine are you most excited about?
The type of nanomedicine that excites me the most is silver nanoparticles because of their broad-spectrum effectiveness against a range of pathogens and their potential to reduce resistance development.
What do you believe is the next step in tackling AMR?
To tackle AMR, the next step is likely to involve combining nanomaterials with traditional antibiotics to enhance their effectiveness and prevent further resistance from developing.
Checkout “Nanotechnology as a cutting-edge solution to combat antimicrobial resistance” here.
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