Designing industrial antifungal formulations of silver nanoparticles: mechanisms of antimicrobial action in C. albicans

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Shutout Solutions Inc. (Saskatoon, SK) has determined that silver nanoparticles possess potent antifungal activity and that is dependent on the interaction of the particles with fungal cells. Shutout Solutions Inc. lacks expertise in fungal biology and requisite equipment for the in-depth study of these discoveries. This partnership will greatly benefit Shutout Solutions Inc. by permitting research to better understand the mechanisms underlying silver nanoparticle antifungal activity. The company liaison will be involved in directing and performing the portion of the research to be conducted at Shutout Solution's laboratories, including the synthesis, physical and chemical characterization of silver nanoparticle preparations. The preparations will initially be used for research and training the research associate from the Dahms laboratory, who will subsequently conduct the synthesis. The technician at Shutout Solutions Inc. will also provide expertise in the field of nanomaterials and will use Shutout Solution's microbiology laboratory to conduct complimentary experiments and assays of antifungal activity as required. The Dahms group is uniquely positioned to apply their novel high-content, atomic force-laser scanning confocal microscopy assays to help understand the mechanisms underlying silver antifungal activity. Such assays allow simultaneous tracking of intracellular (i.e., metabolism, stress responses) and extracellular (morphology, ultrastructure, cell mechanics) parameters in real-time as live fungi respond to nanoparticle treatments. The research associate will lead the fungal studies, interpret and provide her data to Shutout Solutions who will adjust formulations for further testing. This iterative feedback will help us understand the underlying antifungal mechanisms that will ultimately inform formulations for greater efficacy.