Design and mechanism of selenium nanoparticles for treatment of common skin infections

Permanent URL: http://hdl.handle.net/2047/D20250044
Title:
Design and mechanism of selenium nanoparticles for treatment of common skin infections
Creator:
Stolzoff, Michelle Lew Ann (Author)
Contributor:
Webster, Thomas J. (Advisor)
Koppes, Abigail N. (Committee member)
Ebong, Eno E. (Committee member)
Erb, Randall M. (Committee member)
Language:
English
Publisher:
Boston, Massachusetts : Northeastern University, 2017
Date Accepted:
May 2017
Date Awarded:
August 2017
Type of resource:
Text
Genre:
Dissertations
Format:
electronic
Digital origin:
born digital
Abstract/Description:
With the prevalence of antibiotic resistance increasing at an alarming rate, a new strategy for treatment and the prevention of infections is necessary. According to a recent CDC report, over 2 million people in the US alone are infected by resistant strains per year, with at least 23,000 dying from these infections. Acne vulgaris, is a skin condition that affects nearly all adolescents worldwide and can continue to burden adults well into their 40s. The pathogenesis of acne is largely attributed to the anaerobic, Gram-positive microbes, Propionibacterium acnes, which in the last few decades has grown to resist antibiotic treatment. Selenium is a trace element micronutrient that is associated with antioxidant and metabolic mechanisms in the body. Selenium nanoparticles (SeNP) have been demonstrated to be effective antibacterial treatments, while having a safe toxicity profile to healthy mammalian cells. Here, we have modified the SeNP synthesis process to implement a stabilizing shell consisting of biocompatible chitosan, while also investigating the mechanism of antibacterial action as well as demonstrating the SeNPs ability to fight acne infections.
Subjects and keywords:
acne
antibacterial
nanoparticle
selenium
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17760/D20250044
Permanent Link:
http://hdl.handle.net/2047/D20250044
Use and reproduction:
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