Dr. Antony Scimone
Biography
Antony obtained his BSc in Biomedical Science in 2013 from Manchester Metropolitan University and was subsequently awarded a PhD for his work on antimicrobial materials in 2019. His research interests are broadly set in the field of antimicrobial resistance, development of novel advanced antifouling or antibiofilm materials, and assay development.
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 infections
- Surface modifications for hygienic applications
- Micro- and nano-topography modification of surfaces to disrupt biofilms
- Self-cleaning and anti-fouling photocatalytic thin films
- Understanding mechanisms of biofilm formation, development, and maintenance
- Development of more representative/rapid testing methods