Unravelling the anti-biofilm effects of plant derived compounds and nanoparticles at sub-lethal concentrations

The principal aim of this PhD project is to unravel the effects of bioactive-rich fractions obtained from halophytes and nanoparticles (NPs) for the development of innovative biocide-free, eco-sustainable strategies to counteract unwanted biofilms. Using sub-lethal doses of bio-inspired molecules and NPs we offer an elegant way to interfere with specific key-steps that orchestrate biofilm formation, disarming microorganisms without affecting their existence, sidestepping drug resistance and extending the efficacy of the current arsenal of antimicrobial agents. This PhD project will be carried out in collaboration with the Institute of Botany of the Leibniz University of Hannover (Germany).