2026-2027 Faculty Research Grants

Melissa Pous (Medical & Laboratory Science). 

PAMAM Dendrimers as Therapeutic Agents Against Clinically Significant Skin Flora Bacteria.

The rise of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in the healthcare industry has led to devastating effects in recent years, ranging from increased risks associated with hospital treatment to longer illness duration, which may eventually lead to increased death rates. PAMAM dendrimers are nanoscale, radially symmetric polymers composed of highly branched, tree like structures extending from a central core. These polymers may prove a useful alternative to antimicrobials due to their well documented ability to disrupt Gram negative bacterial membranes through lipid bilayer interaction and subsequent structural damage. Their applications in dermatology has not been well-explored. Skin flora is known to be intrinsically difficult to treat and prone to the development of resistance. This study will addresses that gap by assessing the antimicrobial efficacy of PAMAM dendrimers against clinically relevant Gram positive organisms. Minimum inhibitory concentrations for each dendrimer formulation can be evaluated using standardized Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion assays.