Research Projects

The global spread of infectious diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria is a significant public health concern, posing a significant economic burden on nations. Antibiotics are widely used to treat microbial infections, but misuse and abuse have led to the pandemic of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. This has increased morbidity and mortality rates, higher medicinal costs, and toxic side effects. Moreover, broad-spectrum antibiotics with high doses cause significant environmental pollution. To alleviate these burdens, the development of safe, efficient, and new therapeutic strategies is crucial. Nanomaterials and nanocomposites have emerged as potential antimicrobial agents, particularly in bacterial-induced wound healing. This project proposes developing smart stimuli-responsive antimicrobial/antibiofilm nanomaterials formulations to combat microbial infections and reduce the emergence of MDRs. Nanoporous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are attractive materials for loading guest molecules due to their large surface to volume ratio. The simultaneous trigger of metal ions loaded antimicrobial agents or phytochemical compounds allows for additive or synergistic antibacterial effects. This makes MOFs suitable for biomedical applications, such as wound dressing membranes. MOFs formulation provides a wound healing environment, while the surface absorbs antimicrobial agents/antibiotics to treat local infections. The primary aim of this project is the development of novel polymeric MOFs formulation-based wound bandages or dressing systems for topical delivery of antimicrobial agents to treat infected wound injuries.