pragyaswami92@gmail.com

Pragya is the newest graduate member of our group. Her research work is focused on developing rapid phenotypic assays for antimicrobial susceptibility testing. The principle of the first assay is based on pH sensing in controlled reaction volumes. The idea is to be able to encapsulate bacteria and pH-sensitive carbon dots inside UV-curable hydrogel bead. The carbon-dots serve as efficient nanosensors to indicate whether the bacteria can grow in the presence of certain drugs or not. The signal can be measured fluorescently in case of growth. In this way, the bacteria can be tested quickly, selectively and sensitively for effective therapy and patient management.