Smart micelles offer great potential in treating pathogenic fungi
They’re roughly the same size as a coronavirus particle, and 1000 times smaller than a human hair, yet newly engineered nanoparticles developed by scientists at the University of South Australia, are punching well above their weight when it comes to treating drug-resistant fungal infections.
Created in partnership with Monash University, the new nanobiotechnology (called ‘micelles*’), has a remarkable ability to battle one of the most invasive and notoriously resistant fungal infections – Candida albicans.
It’s a timely finding, especially given the significant rise of dangerous fungal infections in hospitals with countries overrun by COVID-19.
Candida albicans is an opportunistic pathogenic yeast that is extremely dangerous to people with compromised immune systems, particularly those in a hospital setting. Found on many surfaces, Candida albicans is notorious for its resilience to anti-fungal medicines. It is the most prevalent cause of fungal infections worldwide and can cause serious infections that can affect the blood, heart, brain, eyes, bones, and other parts of the body.
Senior investigator, UniSA’s Professor Clive Prestidge says the new polymer-based micelles could revolutionise current anti-fungal medicines.
“Managing and treating invasive fungal infections is particularly challenging because so many fungal biofilms are resistant to contemporary antifungal drugs,” Prof. Prestidge says.
“Fungal biofilms are surface-loving microbials that thrive on implanted devices such as catheters, prostheses and heart valves, making the presence of these devices a major risk factor for infection.
“In places like India – which has nearly 40,000 new COVID-19 infections every day – hospital resources are severely stretched, leaving healthcare workers are not only battling COVID-19, but also dealing with complacency and fatigue.
“The unfortunate result is that infection control practices have deteriorated, putting patients on mechanical ventilation at greater risk of developing bacterial or fungal infections.
“As fungal biofilms tend to seed recurrent infections, finding ways to break and beat the infection cycle is critical, especially now.
“Our research has identified and developed smart micelles that have the ability to break down single and multi-species biofilms to significantly inhibit the growth of Candida albicans, one of the most virulent fungal species.
“We estimate that the new micelles could improve the efficacy of anti-fungal medicines by 100-fold, potentially saving the lives of millions of people worldwide.”
Dr Nicky Thomas, co-investigator, says the new micelles present a breakthrough for treating invasive fungal infections.
“These micelles have a unique ability to solubilize and entrap a range of important antifungal drugs to significantly improve their performance and efficacy”.
“This is the first time that polymer-based micelles have been created with intrinsic capabilities to prevent fungal biofilm formation.
“As our results already show that the new micelles will remove up to 70 per cent of infection, this could be a real game changer for treating fungal diseases.”
Original Article: Fighting fungal infections: Giant leaps for smart nanotech
More from: University of South Australia | Monash University
The Latest Updates from Bing News & Google News
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Micelles
- 10 French Skincare Secrets That Will Make You Look Years Younger, Experts Say
From removing makeup with micellar water to using a gommage exfoliant, these are the top 10 French skincare secrets you need to know.
- Unlocking the functional potential of mesoporous materials through modular nanocrystal assembly
B) The scheme illustration of the process for the modular assembly, in which phenolic resols as a bridge to link incompatibility copolymer micelles and colloidal nanocrystals for the formation of ...
- I tried Scarlett Johansson's skincare line, The Outset, and was shocked by how much I loved the products
It's made from a combination of the brand's patented botanical Hyaluroset Complex (a hyaluronic acid alternative), cleansing micelles, amino acids, and a blend of antioxidant-rich fruit extracts.
- IISc researchers design an antigen that boosts antibody production against cancer cells
IISc researchers design an antigen that boosts antibody production against cancer cells: Nandita Vijayasimha, Bengaluru Thursday, April 25, 2024, 08:00 Hrs [IST] Researchers at th ...
- Drew Barrymore says this gentle cleanser is 'by far the best,' and it's just $13 at Amazon
Drew Barrymore says she uses it in different ways, sometimes as the first step in her double-cleansing routine. "I also call it a pre-wash," she said. "Sometimes just to get the pollutants off your ...
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Micelles
[google_news title=”” keyword=”micelles” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Treating fungal diseases
- What Is Double Pneumonia? Understanding Cause, Symptoms And Treatment Approach
Pneumonia is a lung infection that can affect one or both lungs When both the lungs are involved it is called double or bilateral pneumonia ...
- 'Mother Nature's natural protector': Electrolyzed Water Eco proposing crop treatment alternative to farmers
Practical uses of hypochlorous acid as a disinfectant have long been stated. The inorganic compound occurs naturally in the human body, and is formed when chlorine dissolves in water and partially ...
- Valley fever, a fungal disease endemic to the Southwest, disproportionately affects minority populations
Valley Fever, a disease caused by Coccidioides spores, can cause life-threatening illnesses, particularly in Black, Hispanic and Native American communities. There is still a lack of awareness as to ...
- What is Auto-Brewery Syndrome? Rare Disease That Converts Carbohydrate Into Alcohol In Human Bodies
A Belgian man who was recently charged with drunk-driving has been acquitted. This is because he suffers from a rare disorder in which the body converts carbohydrates into ethanol, or ethyl alcohol.
- Future proofing with fungi
Some fungi have evolved to break down tough natural polymers, such as the cellulose found in plants. But while cellulose has existed for millions of years, plastic – which is a synthetic polymer – is ...
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Treating fungal diseases
[google_news title=”” keyword=”treating fungal diseases” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]