A Novel Drug to Beat a Superbug: Can Metal Nanoparticles Defeat the Antimicrobial Resistance of the Emerging Candida Auris Pathogen?

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.