Flinders University
Novel Antibiotics Development
In Australia, multi-drug resistant (MDR) infections claim the lives of over 3,000 people annually. The burden from MDR bacteria in the US costs between $17 billion and $26 billion each year. Dr Boulos’ research involves the development of a new class of antibiotics that are effective against MDR bacteria, including Golden Staph which is not only one of the most common infections of the skin, but also in surgical wounds, pneumonia and in the bloodstream. Two potential antibiotics have shown significant activity against MDR bacteria and at the same time have been shown to be safe for human consumption. Our drug candidates would act as a last line of defense and would be reserved for very serious infections saving lives and reducing the burden on the health care system.
Ramiz’s research has attracted media attention with coverage on Channel Ten News in 2012, and a radio interview on Radio Adelaide this year. He has been active in supervision of PhD students, Honours and undergraduate students in nanotechnology and is a member of the Australian Society of Microbiology and the Australian Nanotechnology Network (ANN).