Through 3D printing and drug supply innovation, this postdoc designs biocompatible gadgets that cut back antibiotic use and advance patient-centered therapies.
Q | Write a quick introduction to your self together with the lab you’re employed in and your analysis background.
I’m Clara Guarch-Perez, a postdoctoral researcher on the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, the place I develop cutting-edge antimicrobial coatings for dental implants alongside Straumann AG and Oerlikon. With experience in 3D-printed antimicrobial gadgets, drug supply, and fast infectious illness diagnostics, I’ve revealed 11 peer-reviewed papers and led collaborative tasks throughout Europe. My mission? To create good, biocompatible supplies that ship focused antimicrobial remedy and enhance an infection analysis—serving to cut back antibiotic use and struggle the rising risk of antimicrobial resistance.
Q | How did you first get enthusiastic about science and/or your subject of analysis?
My dad and mom gave me a microscope once I was seven years outdated as a result of my grandma observed how curious I used to be in regards to the world round me. That early present sparked a lifelong ardour for science and discovery. Fueled by this curiosity, I pursued life sciences, incomes a Bachelor’s in biotechnology from Valencia and a Master’s in medical microbiology on the University of Manchester.
During my research, I grew to become deeply conscious of the worldwide risk posed by bacterial infections in medical gadgets and antimicrobial resistance, inspiring me to search out efficient prevention and therapy methods. This led me to pursue a PhD at Amsterdam UMC via the Marie Curie PRINT-AID community underneath the supervision of Dr. Zaat, who has been an excellent inspiration for my analysis path.
My work targeted on growing and evaluating 3D-printed drug supply techniques to stop infections associated to medical gadgets. I collaborated with a number of establishments to create antimicrobial biomaterials, corresponding to fixation plates and catheters, and developed protocols to review antimicrobial launch and antibiofilm exercise in environments mimicking physique tissues.
This expertise highlighted the significance of interdisciplinary collaboration amongst microbiologists, clinicians, and engineers to develop patient-centered antimicrobial options. I’m deeply grateful for all that I’ve realized all through the years.
Q | Tell us about your favourite analysis mission you’re engaged on.
At the second, I’m engaged on novel antimicrobial dental implants. Dental implants are distinctive in comparison with different medical gadgets as a result of they work together with the advanced oral microbiome. This presents a captivating problem—and alternative—to design implants that not solely stop infections but in addition keep the steadiness of micro organism naturally current within the mouth. This complexity broadens my perspective on how these implants must be developed to successfully stop infections whereas supporting oral well being.
Q | What do you discover most fun about your analysis mission?
The most fun a part of my scientific journey thus far has been my PhD. It gave me the chance to study from among the main scientists in Europe within the subject of biomaterial-associated infections and discover cutting-edge subjects like 3D printing of drug supply techniques. I particularly loved collaborating with clinicians within the hospital to grasp affected person wants firsthand, whereas additionally working alongside chemical engineers, mechanical engineers, microbiologists, and trade companions. It was an extended and difficult path, however extremely inspiring and rewarding.
Q | If you would be a laboratory instrument, which one would you be and why?
I might like to be a scanning electron microscope as a result of I really like taking a look at micro organism forming biofilms on the floor of biomaterials.
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