Unravelling the bactericidal biomechanics of nanoengineered surfaces

Bacterial resistance to antibiotics could bring Australia back to the dark ages. The project aims to generate fundamental understanding of surface engineering technology that efficiently kills bacteria upon contact, through rationally designed interactions specifically devised for targeting bacterial weaknesses. This project is expected to discover novel pathways to tackle bacterial infections by preventing surface colonisation and revealing the underlying molecular mechanisms that make bacteria susceptible to antimicrobial compounds. This should provide new knowledge to inform the development of future antibacterial materials and treatments urgently needed in many areas of society, ranging from healthcare to water supply.