荔枝视频

Researchers at the 荔枝视频 have teamed up with an Alberta-based company to turn limestone into a long-lasting antimicrobial agent, a discovery that could help to cut the spread of harmful bacteria and fungi in food and health-care settings.

The partnership with Biosenta Inc. includes the and the Alberta Centre for Advanced Diagnostics (ACAD) in the .

鈥淭he idea started with a simple question: Could a basic mineral 鈥� limestone 鈥� be reimagined to fight harmful pathogens?鈥� says Dr. , PhD, a professor in the Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering at U荔枝视频.

鈥淲e are proving there is enormous untapped potential in a rock most of us take for granted.鈥�

Tiny shell protects active ingredient 

Researchers have been able to develop a 鈥渟hell and core鈥� nanoparticle.

鈥淭he tiny 鈥榮hells鈥� protect the active ingredient 鈥� calcium hydroxide 鈥� far longer than anything you see with conventional disinfectants,鈥� Husein explains.

Future applications of the technology are still being determined, but the researchers say there鈥檚 potential to use it anywhere that needs to control the growth of dangerous pathogens. 

New technology tested against pathogens that cause bloodstream infections

Dr. Mehdi Mohammed Ashani, PhD, a research associate in the  who works as a senior scientist for , says the team had to develop a new microbiology technique to study the antimicrobial effectiveness and long-term stability of the nanoparticles.

鈥淭his approach was applied against a wide range of pathogens as well as fungi, E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus (bacteria), and Candida albicans (fungus), all of which are known to cause bloodstream infections.鈥�

Noora Darwish, who recently defended her PhD in Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, says it鈥檚 been challenging 鈥� and worthwhile 鈥� work.

She and the rest of the team have published research papers related to the product and its processes. 

The first paper Controlled carbonation of Ca(OH)2 surface and its application as an antibacterial particle published in confirmed its superior antibacterial properties. The second, Synthesis of uniform core-shell calcium hydroxide-calcium carbonate biocidal particles via encapsulation into dry ice published in March in the , offers a new method to produce nanoparticles and measure antibacterial activity against bacteria.

Company's donation stems from personal loss 

The research is sponsored by Biosenta Inc. as well as Mitacs Accelerate and NSERC Alliance.

Biosenta CEO and U荔枝视频 alumnus Am Gill, BComm 鈥�97, says he wanted to make a difference with his company鈥檚 donation.

鈥淭his mission is personal for me,鈥� says Gill. 鈥淚 lost my uncle to a hospital-acquired infection, a preventable tragedy that inspired my commitment to supporting science and innovation."

Dr. , PhD, director of ACAD, says the company鈥檚 contribution is important to the research.

鈥淭his donation is enabling ongoing work on innovative technology to create new generations of nanoparticles with antimicrobial activity,鈥� he says. 鈥淚t supports professional scientists who are working to apply this technology to areas that affect human health.鈥�

ACAD specializes in harnessing technology to understand and control the spread of infections. 

鈥淲e have contributions from our colleagues in the , Schulich School of Engineering and others,鈥� says Lewis.

He notes that the centre was meant to facilitate interdisciplinary work.

鈥淲hen you combine engineering innovations with microbiology testing you can bring transformative ideas to life that improve the world around us鈥� adds Husein, 鈥渁nd that is exactly what is happening here at the 荔枝视频.鈥�

Some of the antibacterial products being developed include: 

Concrete
Enhances structural durability while inhibiting microbial growth, which could be valuable in high-traffic public spaces.

Paint
Combats hospital-acquired infections by preventing bacterial growth on walls and other surfaces in health-care settings, daycares and schools.

Coating
Reduces contamination risks in food packaging and surfaces such as handrails and touchscreens. Could be used in public transportation, schools, daycares and offices where hygiene is critical.