Not only does human health benefit from advances in nanomedicine: researchers associated with Cedenna have developed innovative veterinary products to improve animal health and well-being, especially in dogs and cats.
In a country where pet ownership is growing exponentially, veterinarians have also detected an increase in antibiotic resistance, especially in dogs. Faced with this problem, and in conjunction with companies interested in marketing products with a proven scientific basis, Dr. Jessica Bravo, a researcher at the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (CEDENNA) and Director of the Biomedical Research Center at UDP, led a Fondef project that successfully formulated prototypes of a hydrogel and a shampoo with essential oils from native Chilean plants. These products are capable of preventing harmful infections such as pyoderma, a bacterial infection that affects dogs' skin, causing pus, itching, redness, and hair loss, and is frequently triggered by allergies or parasites.
Because it is a widespread condition, veterinarians currently lack specific treatments. However, the products developed by Dr. Bravo's team have already been used successfully in veterinary clinical trials.
The research team, comprised of members from UDP, U. Mayor, CEDENNA, and the Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Products, hopes to soon take the final step toward technology transfer. This means moving toward the nano-encapsulation of their discovery, which would allow it to be used in very small quantities and thus facilitate its commercialization in everyday products capable of preventing or controlling infection.
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