In the search for novel solutions to antibiotic resistance, are nanoparticles the next big thing?

Multi-drug resistant and more virulent strains of bacteria are a serious concern for microbiologists and medical practitioners. Many common disease causing organisms are becoming resistant to multiple classes of antibiotics. Recent research has given us a greater understanding of the issues with bacterial adaptations to drugs, multi-drug resistance, biofilms, and infection site microenvironments. The new understanding of bacterial resistance has led to experimentation for new and potentially more efficacious drug delivery systems. One such delivery system is nanoparticles. Nanoparticles offer a way to target antibiotic treatment to the site of infection. This feature provides treatment with two major benefits: increased antibiotic efficacy, and reduced antibiotic toxicity