Innovation could change how workplaces manage the threat of drug-resistant bacteria
A researcher based in Hamilton, Ontario is gaining national attention for creating an antimicrobial coating that could transform how workplaces manage the threat of drug-resistant bacteria. Dr. Sara Imani, a postdoctoral fellow and sessional faculty member at McMaster University’s Faculty of Engineering, has developed a surface treatment that kills superbugs on contact and maintains its effectiveness over time.
Award-winning innovation targets drug-resistant bacteria
Imani’s innovation recently earned her the Mitacs Innovation Award — Outstanding Innovation, a national honour recognizing Canadian researchers whose work has the potential for significant societal and economic impact. The award highlights her progress in developing a product that addresses the urgent challenge of healthcare-associated infections and contamination on high-touch surfaces.
(Dr. Sara Imani in undated photo)
Unlike conventional disinfectants, which lose their effectiveness quickly and require frequent reapplication, Imani’s coating forms a thin, nearly invisible film that provides ongoing protection. “We use nanotechnology... designed to be applied as simple as something like a regular paint,” Imani says. “It forms a nearly invisible film, and that can actively prevent pathogens from surviving on the surface.”
Laboratory testing demonstrated that the coating eliminates dangerous bacteria, including MRSA and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, both of which are known for causing persistent infections and contaminating medical equipment. “These are pretty nasty bugs... they’re really hard to deal with,” Imani notes. “We’ve shown that our technology prevents these bacteria from surviving on the surface by more than 99%.”
Implications for workplace health and safety
The project is advancing through a partnership with Oakville-based FendX Technologies, which is preparing for pilot studies and regulatory testing. The collaboration builds on Imani’s earlier research at McMaster, which previously led to the formation of FendX. While the product is not yet commercially available, early results suggest it could offer a new standard for infection control in public and private sectors.
The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of surface hygiene in preventing disease transmission. Imani reflects, “After the pandemic, I guess we really understood the effect of the intermediate surfaces that we touched to how it impacts the infection transmission... investing in these new technologies... directly affects the infection transmission suppression.”
Durability testing indicates the coating remains effective after abrasion and exposure to ultraviolet light, making it suitable for high-traffic environments such as hospitals, schools, transit systems, and offices. By reducing the risk of workplace-acquired infections, the technology could help lower absenteeism and improve public health outcomes.
Looking ahead, Imani hopes to see the product reach the market within the next year. “I hope to see the product actually reach the market and consumers could use and benefit from it,” she says.
As antimicrobial resistance continues to threaten global health, innovations like Imani’s coating offer a promising new approach to workplace safety and hygiene.
