Combating harmful bacteria in the era of increasing antimicrobial resistance is one of the major challenges facing modern science. Dr. Tapendu Samanta is working on a new class of advanced materials that may exhibit antibacterial activity without the use of traditional antibiotics. The researcher has been awarded a MINIATURA grant from the National Science Centre (NCN) for a pilot research project focused on the design of functional, photosensitive polymeric materials with potential applications in healthcare.
A new approach to counteracting bacteria
The aim of the MINIATURA-funded project is to develop an innovative material based on Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs) that combines two independent antibacterial mechanisms within a single system. The first relies on the presence of charged functional groups, which promote interactions with bacterial cell wall or membranes. The second involves light activation, leading to the generation of reactive oxygen species capable of destroying bacterial cells.
“We want to investigate whether combining photosensitivity and positive charge in one material can produce a synergistic effect – where one mechanism enhances the efficiency of the other,” explains Dr. Samanta.“This is a preliminary study, but positive results would open the door to much broader applications,” he adds.
The project is designed as a proof-of-concept study and focuses on material synthesis, detailed physicochemical characterization, and straightforward antibacterial screening tests to validate the proposed concept.
From fundamental research to practical applications
A key strength of the project lies in its application potential. Due to their structural characteristics, COFs are highly porous materials with exceptionally large surface areas, making them particularly attractive for external applications.
“At the initial stage, we are focusing on surface-based applications – such as coatings, paints, or materials used in hospitals and intensive care units,” says the researcher. “If the material proves to be effective and non-toxic, more advanced applications may be considered in the future.”
This approach aligns with global efforts to identify alternative strategies to conventional antibiotics, whose effectiveness continues to decline as bacterial resistance increases.
A chemist developing materials for healthcare
Dr. Tapendu Samanta comes from India (Kolkata, West Bengal). He is a chemist specializing in polymer chemistry and functional materials, with a strong focus on biomedical applications. His research interests include porous materials, photosensitive systems, and the use of optical phenomena in biology and medicine.
“As a chemist, I always try to think about how materials can perform under real-world conditions – not only in the laboratory,” he emphasizes. “My long-term goal is to design materials that can be used in biomedical applications, such as diagnostics or therapy.”
The project is carried out within the Functional Macromolecules and Porous Materials Research Group, which focuses on the design and synthesis of advanced functional materials, including metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), metal–organic cages (MOCs), and their derivatives.
The group’s goal is to develop environmentally friendly and durable materials for applications such as gas capture, separation, catalysis, and sensing. Research activities are grounded in a detailed understanding of material properties – from molecular interactions and functionality to reactivity – enabling rational material design and adaptation to specific applications.
Dr. Samanta’s project fits naturally within this research profile, combining fundamental material chemistry with clearly defined application potential.
