A Nigerian biotech scientist and research associate at the Sensors lab, Cleveland State University, United States of America, Salaudeen Habeeb, has challenged Nigeria to embrace nanobiotech innovations to improve healthcare delivery in the country. His research focuses on detecting resistant bacteria using nanoscale techniques.

Habeeb in an interview highlighted the fact that one of the biggest silent killers around the world is not a brand-new virus, but bacteria that humans have had for ages which are currently developing resistance to therapy.

According to Habeeb, “Bacteria that used to respond to antibiotic management now develop resistance to therapy and the problem is becoming more prevalent and a global issue. Bacteria that no longer respond to traditional medications cause millions of illnesses annually, lengthy hospital stays, increased medical expenses, and avoidable deaths. The difficulty lies in both detection and therapy. Resistant bacteria infections are in most cases discovered only days after lab results are obtained or worse, after therapy has failed.” His research examines the great potential a billionth meter scale has for ameliorating the situation.

Through his ongoing research, Habeeb seeks to create awareness on the enormous opportunities offered by the science of billionth meter scale as demonstrated in the rapid testing kits that helped detect COVID-19 within minutes; medical imaging; the use of gold and magnetic nanoparticles as contrast agents in MRIs and other studies; the use of nanomaterials for cancer treatment, which allow medicines target specific sick cells while preserving healthy ones; and the use nano-sensors to identify resistant bacteria in minutes rather than days.

Habeeb explained: “Nano biotech interacts with biological systems using materials and electronics created on an unimaginable small scale. These devices can be used to identify illness signs, distribute drugs more efficiently and construct sensitive biosensors that can diagnose infections in a matter of minutes.”

He is currently working on developing a rapid detection platform for antibiotic resistant bacteria. The idea is to design nanomaterials that can selectively bind to markers found on resistant bacteria and then produce an electrical or optical signal when detected.

In one of his reactions, he stated that his approach is distinguished by its speed, sensitivity and cost effectiveness. “Traditional bacteria culture testing can take up to 40 hours. Molecular diagnostics, though fast are expensive and inaccessible to many hospitals. A nano-sensor, on the other hand, will give accurate data under an hour for a small cost,” he pointed out.

Habeeb’s research draws attention to better techniques for promptly and accurately identifying the responsible bacteria for an ailment, thereby avoiding the spread of resistance and saving lives. He said, “Employment of nanobiotechnology platforms will reduce the probability of having false positives and false negatives that are common with traditional testing methods. Hospitals can also segregate infected patients on time, hence lowering epidemics. In the long run, healthcare cost will fall as treatments become more tailored and efficient.”

He lamented: “Nigeria, like many developing nations, is dealing with two healthcare crises: the exorbitant cost of sophisticated diagnostic equipment and the shortage of laboratories. Conventional antibiotic resistance testing necessitates lengthy response times, specialised labs and skilled personnel. These facilities do not exist at all in rural locations. As a result of this, many patients receive broad-spectrum antibodies just in case, which exacerbate resistance. For families who already are struggling financially, a delayed diagnosis frequently leads to preventable fatalities, long hospital stays, and increased expenses. A potential breakthrough is provided by a nano-biotech technique.In less than an hour or two, a portable gadget that uses nano-engineered sensors can detect resistant pathogens from a basic patient swab. The relief the availability of such portable diagnostics will provide rural clinics can be imagined. Infectious diseases which have continued to be a major cause of death in Nigeria can be effectively tackled by embracing nanobiotechnology.”

Habeeb further said: “It is regrettable that Nigeria is not making major investments in frontier sciences such as nano biotech. While investment and research in this sector are growing in America, Asia, and Europe, Nigeria and Africa in general has not made meaningful contributions. This is not due to lack of skill – Nigerian scientists excel globally-but inadequate research infrastructure, weak industry-academic collaboration, and little support from the government for commercialisation.Obviously, the huge opportunity has not been tapped into in Nigeria.”

He said: “With pathogens like staphylococcus aureus (including the resistantstrain) MRSA, Klebsiella pneumoniae, E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Neisseriameningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Vibrio cholerae and other bacterial infections still widespread, nanobiotech which could deliver cost-effective diagnostic tools tailored to the African environment needs to be embraced. Instead of importing expensive machines that still waste time to identify bacteria, Nigeria should focus on locally manufactured low-cost biosensors and diagnostic kits.”

As a Nigerian researcher working on nanobiotech abroad, Habeeb believes the field represents one of the most promising solutions to human healthcare challenges. He noted: “For Nigerians to benefit from nanobiotech, three things must happen. First, there must be increased research funding. Universities and research institutes need targeted investment in nanobiotechnology labs, equipment and training. Two, there is need for industry-academia partnerships. Startups and biotech firms should collaborate with researchers to translate lab discoveries into real products. Finally, there should be policy support. Government agencies must recognise nanobiotech as a strategic sector and offer incentives for innovation and local production.”

He is convinced that if countries like India could successfully invest in nanobiotechnology to address healthcare challenges, Nigeria can and should follow suit.

Looking forward, Habeeb aims to eliminate the avoidable risks arising from the problem of delayed treatment due to inability to accurately detect specific bacteria responsible for specific illnesses in good time. “My goal is to develop advanced nanobiotech platforms that will eliminate the need for patients to take broad spectrum antibiotics,” he says. “This development will lead to more precise detection of bacteria and, therefore, appropriate recommendation of drugs for illnesses,” he stated.

Research in the sensors lab is funded through the National Science Foundation grant, emphasising the importance of his research to the United States and the world at large.

Through Habeeb’s ongoing research, he hopes to pave the way for improved management of illnesses caused by bacteria through prompt, accurate and cost-effective detection system. This will improve the quality of life of affected patients.

In his opinion, Nigeria needs the vision to embrace nanobiotech to save lives, reduce healthcare costs, and build resilience for the future. He emphasised, “Nanobiotech may be small in scale, its potential to impact positively on Nigeria’s healthcare system is enormous. The time to act is now.”