(MOREPIC1)Face2News/Chandigarh
The Department of Biophysics at Panjab University has received a Rs. 1.2 crore research grant from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to develop new ways of fighting dangerous drug-resistant infections.
The project, led by Dr Avneet Saini with co-investigators Dr Simran Preet and Dr Naveen Kaushal, will use artificial intelligence and machine learning to design next-generation antimicrobial peptides, small protein-like molecules that can kill harmful bacteria even when antibiotics stop working.
This research aims to offer simple but powerful benefits like better treatments for infections that no longer respond to common antibiotics; faster discovery of new medicines using computer-based design; safer medical materials, such as improved wound-healing dressings; and infection-resistant coatings and support for hospitals, which are increasingly struggling with drug-resistant “superbugs”.
(MOREPIC2)(MOREPIC3)Dr Saini’s laboratory has built a strong reputation for pioneering work in antimicrobial peptide engineering, biomaterials and infection-resistant medical coatings. Their research has earlier received support from national organisations such as DRDO, DST and ICMR, leading to several international publications.
Welcoming the new grant, Dr Saini said that the funding would help the group push forward in creating practical, real-world solutions to one of today’s biggest medical challenges.