# Collaborative Research: Using Anisotropic Surface Coating of Nanoparticles to Tune Their Antimicrobial Activity

> **NSF 01002324DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · Washington University (MO) · $419,985

## Abstract

The rapid rise in antimicrobial/antibiotic resistance in pathogenic bacteria is a global public health threat. Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria and fungi evolve to stop responding to antibiotics and to continue to grow. Each year in the US alone, antimicrobial-resistant bacteria or fungi cause infection in more than 2.8 million people and more than 35,000 deaths. Developing alternatives to traditional antibiotics is critical for addressing this global challenge. This collaborative project supports fundamental research to develop a new type of antimicrobial nanoparticle to combat  antibiotic-resistant bacteria. These nanoparticles are unique in that they display a non-uniform coating of hydrophobic and positively charged molecules. Such nanoparticles are expected to act through novel antibiotic mechanisms that are less likely to cause acquired drug resistance in bacteria. The research team will combine experiments with computational modeling to elucidate how interactions of these nanoparticles with bacteria depend on the non-uniform surface chemistry of nanoparticles and the cell wall chemistry of bacteria. The mechanistic understanding from this study will guide the rational design of antimicrobial nanoparticles against a wide range of pathogenic bacteria. By integrating nanoscience research with educational and outreach activities this collaborative project outlines interdisciplinary approaches to promote critical thinking and increase diversity in STEM. These a

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2534273
- **Awardee organization:** Washington University (MO)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** L6NFUM28LQM5
- **PI:** Yan Yu
- **Primary program:** 01002324DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** NANO NON-SOLIC SCI & ENG AWD
- **Estimated total:** $419,985
- **Funds obligated:** $288,428
- **Transaction type:** Continuing Grant
- **Period:** 07/01/2025 → 08/31/2027

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2534273

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2534273, Collaborative Research: Using Anisotropic Surface Coating of Nanoparticles to Tune Their Antimicrobial Activity. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-07 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2534273. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NSF Awards dataset](/datasets/nsf-awards) · CC0 1.0*