Dr. Antony Scimone

Research

In 2016, the O’Neil report released a shocking prediction: by 2050, ten million people will die annually to infections. The reason? Due to our overuse of antibiotics, the microorganisms are mutating, evolving resistance. Even more startlingly, these organisms can share these mutations, spreading the resistance genes far and wide.Recent research has highlighted the importance of microbial communities, known as biofilms, in disease. Biofilms further contribute to antimicrobial resistance by allowing the organisms to signal to one another, leading to coordinated responses against antimicrobial drugs, and to share resistance genes even more easily. In short, biofilm-associated infections remain a key health concern in terms of improving patient outcomes and reducing the spread of antimicrobial resistance. My research agenda is broadly set in this area: slow down the spread of antimicrobial resistance, develop new ways to reduce biofilm associated infections, and engage with the public on antibiotic use. Specifically, my research areas include: Novel antimicrobial compounds and materials, especially for biofilm-associated infectionsSurface modifications for hygienic applicationsMicro- and nano-topography modification of surfaces to disrupt biofilmsSelf-cleaning and anti-fouling photocatalytic thin filmsUnderstanding mechanisms of biofilm formation, development, and maintenanceDevelopment of more representative/rapid testing methods