Posted by Dr. Tim Sandle, Pharmaceutical Microbiology Resources (http://www.pharmamicroresources.com/)
Pharmaceutical Microbiology Resources. Edited by Professor Tim Sandle (established 2009)
Wednesday, 3 September 2025
Sunday, 31 August 2025
Innovation with transparent antimicrobial coatings
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Hydrogen boride (HB) nanosheets can inactivate viruses, bacteria, and fungi within minutes in the dark conditions. By coating surfaces with HB nanosheets, it rapidly inactivates SARS-CoV-2, influenza virus, and other pathogens. The nanosheets work by denaturing microbial proteins, offering a safe, effective, and versatile antimicrobial coating for everyday items.
The global fight against infectious diseases faces two major challenges: the threat of new pandemic outbreaks and the alarming rise of antimicrobial resistance driven by the excessive use of antibiotics. As pathogens continue to evolve and spread, researchers are urgently seeking innovative technologies that can effectively combat viruses, bacteria, and fungi conveniently in everyday settings.
Microbiology books - at discount
Two-dimensional nanomaterials have emerged as promising candidates in this search. Hydrogen boride (HB) nanosheets, initially invented by Professor Takahiro Kondo at the University of Tsukuba and his team, represent an exciting new frontier. Initially explored for potential applications in electronics, energy storage, and catalysis, the interactions between HB nanosheets and biomolecules have remained largely unexplored -- until now.
In a recent study, a research team involving Professor Masahiro Miyauchi and Associate Professor Akira Yamaguchi from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Institute of Science Tokyo, Japan discovered that HB nanosheets exhibit excellent antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties.
The researchers first fabricated transparent films by coating glass substrates with a dispersed solution of HB nanosheets. They then tested these films against a wide variety of microorganisms. Remarkably, the coated surfaces exhibited exceptional antimicrobial performance, inactivating the SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and feline caliciviruses down to detection limits within just 10 minutes at room temperature -- without the need for light activation. Similar effects were observed against various bacteriophages, and multiple types of bacteria, such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, and fungi, such as Aspergillus niger and Penicillium pinophilum.
The ability of HB nanosheets to inactivate these bacteria and fungi to the detection limit confirms the effectiveness of this material in combating a variety of microbial agents. The team then investigated the underlying mechanisms behind this broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, revealing that it originates from the nanosheets' ability to denature microbial proteins through strong physicochemical interactions.
What makes these findings particularly exciting is the versatility of HB nanosheets as transparent coating materials. Unlike metal-based antimicrobials, which may leach or lack transparency, and photocatalyst-based coatings that require ultraviolet light activation, HB nanosheets function effectively in darkness and maintain optical clarity.
Laboratory tests further demonstrated their effectiveness under dry conditions, mimicking real-world scenarios where pathogens might be transferred by coughing or sneezing onto everyday surfaces. Amid concerns of another pandemic like the COVID-19 outbreak, HB nanosheets can be applied as transparent coatings for items and textiles to reduce infection risks. Additionally, due to their antifungal properties, they could also be used on various materials to help maintain cleanliness in everyday surroundings.
Overall, HB nanosheets offer a promising technology for creating safer environments and reducing pathogen transmission in daily life.
See:Takeshi Nagai, Andi Mauliana, Keiichi Kobayashi, Akira Yamaguchi,
Keisuke Miyazaki, Yue Yang, Jumpei Takeshita, Takeshi Fujita, Kayano
Sunada, Hitoshi Ishiguro, Takahiro Kondo, Masahiro Miyauchi. Broad-spectrum antimicrobial effects of hydrogen boride nanosheets. Journal of Materials Chemistry B, 2025; 13 (19): 5723 DOI: 10.1039/D4TB02854F
Posted by Dr. Tim Sandle, Pharmaceutical Microbiology Resources (http://www.pharmamicroresources.com/)
Thursday, 28 August 2025
The 3Ws of Microbial Data Trends in Environmental Monitoring
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Contamination has been one of the consistent central reasons for drug product recalls. Pharmaceutical manufacturers witnessed an average of 330 recalls every year in the past decade. Deviations from Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) standards also have emerged as a significant driver of product recalls in recent times. According to a report by USFDA, in 2025, there were 123 product recall events caused by cGMP deviations. In 2022 and 2023, drug recalls surged as contamination issues and sterility concerns continued to dominate the list.
Monitoring microbial data trends enables smarter, faster decisions that directly impact product quality and patient safety. These trends strengthen quality systems, support regulatory compliance, and help ensure medicines are safe, sterile, and reliable.
This article focuses on how quality control teams in microbial laboratories can prevent contamination, achieve process control and be audit-ready always. It underpins the need for digital EM systems through the 3Ws framework – What, Why, and How of microbial trends.
WHAT are Microbial Trends
Sterile spaces in pharma manufacturing facilities including cleanrooms, production zones, and isolators aren’t always sterile, despite the tightest controls. Microbes find their way through people, air, or surfaces. This is where microbial trends come in. By collecting and analyzing microbial data and their patterns, teams maintain control, detect emerging risks, and protect product quality.
The traditional methods of data collection often resulted in fragmented spreadsheets, causing delays in insights. However, with automated environmental monitoring (EM) systems, real time dashboards, and predictive analytics, microbial trends lead to more actionable insights than ever. Here’s how digital technology is reshaping EM systems.
® Automated sampling with LIMS integration
® Real-time alerts and data visualization trends
® Algorithms to detect shifts in microbial profiles
Metrics speak volumes. Digital environmental monitoring software track metrics that drive valuable insights into microbial data. These insights can bring clarity and speed to decisions. A few metrics that are being tracked are –
· Microbial loads and diversity across specified zones/rooms
· Excursion frequency by site and operator
· Pathogen detection rate
· Historical trend analysis
As a result of these advanced metrics, enterprises are now moving from static compliance control to dynamic trend monitoring. This helps teams to flag risks instantly and supports analytics-driven decision-making.
WHY are Microbial Trends Important?
Monitoring microbial trends is more than just a regulatory checkbox. Understanding microbial behavior and patterns is fundamental to maintaining a state of control in QC labs. It ensures your cleanroom environment is contaminant-free. Here’s why the ‘Why’ matters.
Identify the root cause. Automated systems quickly correlate microbial spikes with potential issues, if it is due to room usage or operator activities.
Early warnings. Trends help identify deviations at an early stage, preventing major contamination events.
Ensure regulatory compliance. Regulatory agencies like the EMA and FDA emphasize trend review and data integrity during inspections. Trends imply that enterprises use proactive compliance measures.
Variable action limits. Ongoing, real-time analysis allows users to adjust thresholds based on real-world scenarios rather than static baselines.
Drive continuous improvement. With real time ingestion of microbial data, teams can map the effectiveness of sanitization, HVAC upgrades, gowning procedures, and other relevant processes.
An EMA reports 79% of warning letters issued to companies globally cite data integrity as a major concern. With digital EM software, teams can monitor and track environmental data holistically.
How to leverage microbial data trends
You have the trends, now what? Microbial trends are useful only when they help teams make smarter decisions.
This is where modern digital environmental monitoring tools such as CaliberEMpro come in. With digital EM software it becomes easy to capture, visualize, and act on trends. It automates everything from spotting anomalies early to adjusting alert limits proactively, giving you confidence that your cleanroom is under control.
With CaliberEMpro your labs can:
· Capture data in real-time
· Instantly visualize both – safe zones and red flags
· Adjust alert limits with factual data
· Get automated alerts for deviations
This keeps your cleanrooms in control, always. No more spreadsheet chaos or scrambling before inspections. Environmental monitoring trends can be your first line of defense. By turning insights into clear, actionable steps, you can be confident that your SOPs are doing their job well.
Beyond Monitoring: Adding Intelligence with CalGenie
While CaliberEMpro manages real-time microbial data, CalGenie adds an extra layer of intelligence. As Caliber’s Generative AI engine, CalGenie extracts, interprets, and contextualizes microbial and quality data from complex documents. This allows teams to:
· Automate document analysis for faster reporting
· Connect microbial trends with broader quality insights
· Support predictive analytics for future contamination risks
Together, CaliberEMpro + CalGenie help pharmaceutical enterprises move from data collection to intelligence-driven action, enhancing both compliance and operational excellence.
Let’s face it – collecting microbial data is the easy part. Knowing what to do with it is a real game changer. Today’s digital EM systems don’t just track data; they unlock valuable insights in real time, empowering you by answering the most important question: Are we in control?
Trends tell you a visual story in the form of slow climbs, spikes, and shifts over time. Let this story guide your action plan of building a culture of control, quality, and continuous improvement. It is not just about passing audits; it is about making quality decisions faster.
Caliber Technologies connects the dots between microbial trend monitoring, AI intelligence, and pharma quality.
Tuesday, 5 August 2025
A $1,000 Shot Toward Your STEM Dream: How to Apply for the 2025 Creative Biolabs Scholarship
Let's be real—college is expensive. Whether you're juggling student loans or saving up for lab supplies, a little extra cash can go a long way. That's where the Creative Biolabs Scholarship comes in, offering a sweet $1,000 award to one standout science student, which could be your ticket to easing some financial pressure and showing off your scientific smarts.
If you're majoring in a science-related field like biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or molecular biology, and you've got the grades, this one's definitely worth a shot. Read on to find out exactly what you need to apply—and how to make your application shine.
Who Can Apply?
First thing's first: are you eligible? The Creative Biolabs scholarship is open globally, which means whether you're studying in Boston or Berlin, you're good to go—as long as you check these boxes:
√ Enrolled in an accredited college or university (freshman, undergrad, grad, or PhD).
√ Major in a science-related field (e.g., Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology).
√ Maintain at least a 3.0 GPA (B average).
Pretty doable, right?
√ What They're Looking For
This isn't just about your GPA. The Selection Committee is diving deep into your story. Here's what they care about:
Academic Ability—Not just your transcript, but your learning plan. Show them what you're curious about and how you're working toward it.
Leadership Skills—If you've led a club, mentored others, or inspired your peers, flaunt it!
Community Spirit—Volunteering, activism, or community outreach? Big plus.
In other words: grades matter, but heart and hustle count too.
How to Apply (Don't Skip a Step!)
You'll need to send a complete application package to the designated email address with the subject line:
"2025 Creative Biolabs Scholarship Application – Full Name".
Here's the checklist:
√ Completed Application Form—Download it from their scholarship page.
√ Transcript—Official or unofficial.
√ Recommendation Letter—From a teacher, counselor, or community leader.
√ Essay or PowerPoint Presentation—Your chance to shine. Pick ONE topic from below and go all in.
Essay/Presentation Topics (choose one):
√ Overview of Neurodegenerative Diseases and Disease-Related Biomarkers
√ Novel Gene Delivery Systems for Gene Therapy
√ mRNA-Based Therapeutics Application
√ Overview of Clinical Applications of Stem Cell Therapy
Essay should be 800–1,000 words, and if you go the PowerPoint route, it should be 10–12 slides with lecture notes. Either way, it has to be original, clear, and grammatically solid.
* Heads up: incomplete submissions = automatic rejection. Double-check everything before you hit send.
Deadlines & Announcement
Submission Deadline: September 30, 2025
Announcement: October 15, 2025
The winner will be contacted via email and their name will go up on the Creative Biolabs website. (Yep, time to get famous.)
Bonus Step: Acceptance Video
If you win, you'll be asked to submit a video acceptance speech. Nothing too fancy, just something authentic that shares your gratitude and goals. In addition, your story may get featured on Creative Biolabs' website or social media.
Final Thoughts
Creative Biolabs—an innovative biotech company supporting researchers worldwide—is all about encouraging the next generation of scientific minds. This scholarship isn't just about the money, but about giving a platform to students with passion, purpose, and a vision for impact.
So if you're studying science and looking for an opportunity to get your work noticed (and maybe upgrade your coffee budget while you're at it), this one's calling your name.
About
As a trusted end-to-end CRO, Creative Biolabs specializes in providing comprehensive solutions across antibody engineering, cell and gene therapy development, and 3D disease modeling to accelerate the journey from discovery to preclinical success.
Pharmaceutical Microbiology Resources
(http://www.pharmamicroresources.com/)
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