Characterization of the antibacterial and immunomodulatory activity of g-C3N4 and/or NiWO4 nanoparticles encapsulated in chitosan biofilm

• Grant number: 23/14198-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Program to Stimulate Scientific Vocations
• Start date: February 19, 2024
• End date: March 28, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Pharmacology - Biochemical and Molecular Pharmacology
• Principal Investigator: Patricia Torres Bozza
• Grantee: Giovanna de Amorim Grasser
• Host Institution: Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz). Ministério da Saúde (Brasil)

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance is a major challenge for global public health, with an important impact on human and animal health. Antimicrobials are medicines used to treat infections, mainly of bacterial origin, and are essential for the preservation of human and animal health. In recent decades, an increasing emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogens has been observed, largely due to excessive and/or inappropriate use of antimicrobials. Therefore, in addition to the importance of responsible and rational use of antibiotics to reduce the emergence of resistant pathogens, it is necessary to identify new mechanisms or chemotherapy. Different types of semiconductor bases have been proposed as potential antibacterial and antiviral agents due to their ability to generate hydroxyl radicals (*OH) and superoxide radicals (*O2-). The nanoencapsulation of oxides with chitosan for the formation of biocomposites can be an interesting alternative, since as it is a biopolymer it can act as a carrier with particles with lower cellular toxicity. This project proposes the use of g-C3N4/NiWO4 nanoparticles encapsulated in chitosan biofilm, which are being developed as part of the scholarship holder's scientific initiation project. We will aim to evaluate the antimicrobial and immunomodulatory effect of g-C3N4 and NiWO4 nanoparticles encapsulated in chitosan biofilm. (AU)