BAR-ILAN INSTITUTE OF NANOTECHNOLOGY & ADVANCED MATERIALS | 2019 ANNUAL REPORT

new treatment targets and detects materials with antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties, and by collaborating with material scientists he develops new nanomaterials, which effectively eradicate or inhibit the formation of biofilm. A Post-Antibiotic Era: The Age of New Nanomaterials In recent years, Prof. Banin established two very promising international collaborations. The most recent, with the INL International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), located in Portugal, is in its initial stages; and the other collaboration, with the Chinese Academy of Science (CAS), in Beijing, is already yielding results. “These collaborations were facilitated through BINA which, as a well-established multi-disciplinary institute, is providing me the opportunity to partner with researchers who have capabilities that complement mine. Getting access to the advanced equipment in both INL and CAS, expands and advances the research, that we hope can soon reach pre-clinical trials,” elaborates Prof. Banin. Prof. Banin and Prof. Xingyu Jiang of CAS, were awarded a grant from the Israel Science Foundation and the Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), of which Prof. Banin received $250,000. Together they are currently developing a new antibiofilm nanotechnology treatment. “We characterize gold nanoparticles with new, unique, active nanomaterials, synthesized by Prof. Jiang. The gold itself is not antibiofilm and the new material, although toxic to the bacteria, cannot enter the newly-targeted microbial site. However, by combining the two, we managed to utilize the gold nanoparticles’ ability to enter the biofilm, delivering the substance and effectively killing the bacteria. We tackle sensitive and resistant bacteria with this technology and keep on working to precisely target different bacteria by making subtle changes in our new substance.” While Prof. Jiang manipulates the material, Prof. Banin reveals its effect on biofilm and advises which changes are needed. This collaboration has proven fruitful, with an article pending publication. “This collaboration is mutually empowering, and reflects the synergy between Israel as a Start-Up Nation with innovation-driven scientists characterized by out-of-the-box thinking and the impressive scientific capabilities of our Chinese partners. We work closely together, visit one another’s laboratories, conduct meetings with one another’s students and involve one another in outreach activities in the scientific community. For example, I was invited to give a lecture on our work at the ChinaNANO 2019 international conference, and the Israel Chemical Society hosted Prof. Jiang last February,” says Prof. Banin. Innovative Minds – Practical Industries Alongside the biofilm battle, Prof. Banin also deals with its prevention. Some of his scientific work to that end has already led to patents and industrial developments. A collaboration with Prof. Aharon Gedanken, a professor emeritus of BINA and the Department of Chemistry at Bar-llan University, yielded the development of antibacterial nanoparticles, based on metal oxide, which can be used as a coating for medical devices and textiles, including catheters and bandages. “This coating dramatically decreases the bacteria’s ability to settle on the equipment, thereby 24