Paper sensor’ developed by IIT Madras could help detect & monitor antimicrobial pollutants

Context

A new paper sensor is developed by IIT Madras in collaboration with UK researchers.

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.

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.