A novel drug to beat a superbug: can metal nanoparticles defeat the antimicrobial resistance of the emerging Candida auris pathogen?

Sudaxshina Murdan (primary)
UCL School of Pharmacy
UCL
Sanjib Bhakta (secondary)
Department of Biological Sciences
Birkbeck, University of London

Abstract

Candida auris – an emerging fungal pathogen akin to a superbug – is categorized a public health threat due to its rapid spread, ability to colonise the skin and hospital surfaces and to cause invasive disease with a high (60%) mortality rate and multi-drug resistance. New drugs are urgently needed, and in this project, we will investigate the potential of metal (e.g. silver, copper) nanoparticles as novel anti-C.auris agents. C. auris biofilms will be produced, nanoparticle-biofilm interactions will be characterized, the ability of nanoparticles to disrupt biofilms and kill the fungus will be measured and optimal nanoparticle properties will be established.


References

1 Nett, J. 2019. Candida auris: An emerging pathogen “incognito”? PLOS PATHOGENS 15, 4 : e1007638.
2 Forsberg K et al. 2019. Candida auris: The recent emergence of a multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen, MEDICAL MYCOLOGY, 57, 1, 1-12
3 Kean, R et al. 2018. The comparative efficacy of antiseptics against Candida auris biofilms, INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS 52, 5, 673-677.
4 Ramage, G, 2018. Candida auris and non-albicans biofilms, MEDICAL MYCOLOGY 56, 2, S16-S16, S7.1a
5 Sherry L et al, 2017. Biofilm-Forming Capability of Highly Virulent, Multidrug-Resistant Candida auris EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES 23, 2, 328-331


BBSRC Area
Genes, development and STEM* approaches to biology
Area of Biology
MicrobiologyStructural Biology
Techniques & Approaches
BiochemistryChemistryEngineeringImage ProcessingMathematics / StatisticsMicroscopy / Electrophysiology