Anita Shukla
Center for Biomedical Engineering, Brown University
Smart Biomaterials for Treatment of Microbial Infections
Abstract: The World Health Organization recently warned of an impending “post antibiotic era” in which common infections are lethal due to rising antimicrobial resistance. Microbes inherently evolve resistance mechanisms over time, the rates of which can be exacerbated by frequent use of broad-spectrum antimicrobials and prolonged exposure. Compounding this issue is the lack of discovery of new antimicrobial agents. In this talk, I will describe our recent work on developing smart materials, which can effectively treat microbial infections while potentially reducing development of resistance. I will specifically discuss the development of hydrogel dressings and multilayered coatings for treatment of localized infections. We have formulated highly tunable synthetic and natural polymer-based hydrogels and films for the encapsulation and release of antibiotics and antifungals in response to microbial infections. These materials exhibit a range of drug release behaviors (e.g., triggered-, swelling-, and diffusion-based release) and mechanical properties and have demonstrated promising antimicrobial efficacy. I will also describe some of our work on using biomaterials approaches to detecting microbial infections.
Abstract: The World Health Organization recently warned of an impending “post antibiotic era” in which common infections are lethal due to rising antimicrobial resistance. Microbes inherently evolve resistance mechanisms over time, the rates of which can be exacerbated by frequent use of broad-spectrum antimicrobials and prolonged exposure. Compounding this issue is the lack of discovery of new antimicrobial agents. In this talk, I will describe our recent work on developing smart materials, which can effectively treat microbial infections while potentially reducing development of resistance. I will specifically discuss the development of hydrogel dressings and multilayered coatings for treatment of localized infections. We have formulated highly tunable synthetic and natural polymer-based hydrogels and films for the encapsulation and release of antibiotics and antifungals in response to microbial infections. These materials exhibit a range of drug release behaviors (e.g., triggered-, swelling-, and diffusion-based release) and mechanical properties and have demonstrated promising antimicrobial efficacy. I will also describe some of our work on using biomaterials approaches to detecting microbial infections.
Biography
Anita Shukla is an Assistant Professor of Engineering and a member of the Center for Biomedical Engineering at Brown University. Professor Shukla's research focuses on designing responsive and targeted biomaterials for applications in drug delivery and regenerative medicine. She is particularly passionate about using these materials for treating infection and studying stem cell behavior. Professor Shukla is the recipient of several national and university honors and awards for both her research and teaching, including an Office of Naval Research Director of Research Early Career Grant and a Brown University Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. Prior to joining Brown in 2013, Professor Shukla was an NIH Ruth Kirschstein postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Bioengineering at Rice University. She received her Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2011 as an NSF Graduate Research Fellow. Professor Shukla also received a Master's of Science in Chemical Engineering Practice from MIT. She received her Bachelor's of Science at Carnegie Mellon University in 2006 with majors in chemical engineering and biomedical engineering.
Group website
Anita Shukla is an Assistant Professor of Engineering and a member of the Center for Biomedical Engineering at Brown University. Professor Shukla's research focuses on designing responsive and targeted biomaterials for applications in drug delivery and regenerative medicine. She is particularly passionate about using these materials for treating infection and studying stem cell behavior. Professor Shukla is the recipient of several national and university honors and awards for both her research and teaching, including an Office of Naval Research Director of Research Early Career Grant and a Brown University Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. Prior to joining Brown in 2013, Professor Shukla was an NIH Ruth Kirschstein postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Bioengineering at Rice University. She received her Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2011 as an NSF Graduate Research Fellow. Professor Shukla also received a Master's of Science in Chemical Engineering Practice from MIT. She received her Bachelor's of Science at Carnegie Mellon University in 2006 with majors in chemical engineering and biomedical engineering.
Group website