Paper sensor’ developed by IIT Madras could help detect & monitor antimicrobial pollutants
- Posted By
10Pointer
- Categories
Science & Technology
- Published
7th May, 2021
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Context
A new paper sensor is developed by IIT Madras in collaboration with UK researchers.
About the paper sensor technique research
- The research was funded by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, in collaboration with the UK’s Natural Environment Research Council and Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.
- It is a low cost an, paper-based sensor.
- It could be helpful to tackle antimicrobial resistance that is becoming a worldwide health crisis.
- The research also suggested that “periodic monitoring” of these pollutants will be key in assessing the status of antimicrobial resistance in India.
- The sensor has been developed on the basis of a ‘see and tell’ mechanism.
- It is logistically efficient and ensures wide implementation.
- It has fabricated devices [the sensor] for the detection of antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, biocides such as triclosan and heavy metals such as chromium, copper and lead.
- These devices can be used for antimicrobial resistance surveillance in water bodies.
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Antimicrobial resistance
- It threatens the effective prevention and treatment of an ever-increasing range of infections caused by bacteria, parasites, viruses and fungi.
- It occurs when microbes like bacteria, viruses and fungi no longer respond to medicines, making these infections harder to treat.
- Water bodies, especially, have emerged to be a source of “dissemination and transfer” of antimicrobial resistance.
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