Rutuja Gumathannavar
Ph.D. Title:
Development of advanced functional nanomaterials for the fast and selective detection of MDR pathogens by opto-electrochemical platforms
What started as a curiosity about “tiny particles doing extraordinary things” slowly turned into a full-time adventure involving multidrug-resistant superbugs, glowing nanoparticles, and way too many cups of coffee! I completed my integrated B.Sc.–M.Sc. in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology from Shivaji University in 2017, where I discovered my passion for nanotechnology and biomedical research. Since then, I’ve been fascinated by designing smarter diagnostic and therapeutic systems using nanoscience.
My journey at Symbiosis International (Deemed University) has been a roller coaster of failed experiments, unexpected breakthroughs, last-minute results, and endless learning. Somewhere in this chaos, I joined Dr. Sunil D. Saroj’s lab and stepped into the exciting world of bacterial diagnostics, nanobiotechnology, and antimicrobial resistance research.
Currently, I play a dual role as a Research Associate at the Symbiosis Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology and as a Ph.D. Scholar under the guidance of Dr. Sunil D. Saroj. My Ph.D. research, titled “Development of Advanced Functional Nanomaterials for the Fast and Selective Detection of MDR Pathogens by Opto-Electrochemical Platforms,” focuses on developing rapid nano-enabled sensing systems for multidrug-resistant pathogens like Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii. Using bacteriophages, gold quantum dots, biosensors, and opto-electrochemical platforms, I aim to create smarter diagnostic tools capable of detecting dangerous pathogens in record time.
Why Klebsiella pneumoniae? Because this “silent hospital survivor” has mastered antibiotic resistance faster than science can keep up. In a world where antimicrobial resistance is transforming treatable infections into global threats, rapid detection is no longer optional it’s a race against time.
In simple terms, I make nanoparticles and bacteriophages team up like a microscopic superhero duo to hunt dangerous superbugs, all while chasing fluorescent signals, celebrating successful binding events, and surviving endless troubleshooting adventures in the lab!