Medicinal Clays Research Articles

Antibacterial and therapeutic potential of historic deposits of silesian healing clay – terra sigillataSilesiaca

Ethnopharmacological relevanceThe increasing evolution of pathogen resistance is a global problem that requires novel solutions. Recently, an increased interest in ethnomedicinal sources can be observed in the derivation of new medicines. The return to traditional medicinal formulations handed down for generations is being followed, but it is necessary to revise them again, taking into account the generally accepted research protocol. Aim of the studyWe aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of historical deposits of Silesian healing clay (SHC), used in ethnomedicine against Gram-positive bacteria and to assess their biological activity using a primary dermal fibroblast line (NHDF) and a model monocyte line (THP1). Materials and methodsInformation on medicinal clay deposits that occur in Silesia and are traditionally used in ethnomedicine or ancient medicine and known as terra sigillata Silesiaca or SHC, was selected on available source materials and old prints and maps from the archives of the Polish Geological Institute (Wrocław, Poland). Subsequently, their places of occurrence were identified and traced in the field by taking three deposits from the Silesia territory: Upper Silesia (D1), Opole Silesia (D2), and Lower Silesian (D3) Voivodeships for analysis. Their basic parameters and antimicrobial efficacy against pathogenic bacteria, Gram-positive streptococci and staphylococci, including methicillin-resistant strains, were examined. The study evaluated the effects of clays on growth and vitality using a primary dermal fibroblast line (NHDF) and a monocytic line (THP1). Studies were performed on a cell culture model to determine the effects on tissue regeneration (fibroblasts) and anti-inflammatory effects (monocytes). The study attempted to identify the mechanism of antimicrobial action, especially the textural characteristics and geochemical composition, as well as the environmental reaction (pH). ResultsSHCs were classified into the following textural classes: clay loam (D1), clay (D2), and sand (D3). The tested deposits have antimicrobial properties that reduce the bacterial population (104 CFU) compared to the control (108 CFU). The antimicrobial effect depends on the type of clay and the species or strain of bacteria used. In-house studies clearly showed that Staphylococcus aureus Pcm 2054 and Staphylococcus epidermidis MRSE ATCC 2538 cells were completely adsorbed by clay minerals from clay D3.13. Furthermore, 10% leachates also showed an antimicrobial effect, as a reduction in bacterial populations was observed ranging from 91 to 100%. The results showed stimulation of fibroblast culture proliferation and inhibition of the growth of inflammatory cells (monocytes). ConclusionSHCs tested have antimicrobial potential, in particular D2.7, D2.11, and D3.13. The D3.13 deposit had a bactericidal effect against the staphylococci tested. Aqueous solutions of clays also showed bacteriostatic effect. The results obtained in cell culture model tests indicate properties that modulate the healing process – stimulation of fibroblast growth (NHDF line) and inhibition of monocyte growth (THP1 line).

Metatranscriptomic insight into the possible role of clay microbiome in skin disease management.

Even though the scientific documentation is limited, microbiome of healing clay is gradually gaining attention of the scientific community, as a therapeutic force playing an indispensable role in skin disease management. The present study explores the metatranscriptome profile of the Chamliyal clay, widely known for its efficacy in managing various skin problems, using Illumina NextSeq sequencing technology. The gene expression profile of the clay microbial community was analyzed through SEED subsystems of the MG-RAST server. Due to the unavailability of metatranscriptomic data on other therapeutic clays, Chamliyal's profile was compared to non-therapeutic soils, as well as healthy and diseased human skin microbiomes. The study identified Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria as the primary active microbial phyla in Chamliyal clay. These resemble those abundant in a healthy human skin microbiome. This is significant as lower levels of these phyla in the skin are linked to inflammatory skin conditions like psoriasis. Interestingly, pathogenic microbes actively metabolizing in the clay were absent. Importantly, 6% of the transcripts annotated to sulfur and iron metabolism, which are known to play a major role in skin disease management. This study provides the most comprehensive and a novel overview of the metatranscriptome of any of the healing clay available worldwide. The findings offer valuable insights into the clay microbiome's potential in managing skin disorders, inspiring future endeavors to harness these insights for medical applications.

APPLICATION PERSPECTIVES OF THE AVAN SALT MINE'S BOTTOM SEDIMENT'S HIGHLY MINERALIZED CLAY IN MEDICINAL CLAYS AND COSMETOLOGY

The healing and cosmetological properties of clays have been known since ancient times. The clay's healing and cosmetic properties are used to treat various diseases and have medicinal uses for skin quality improvement. The objective of this paper is to study the quantitative composition of highly mineralized clay, which is a bottom sediment separated during the processing of the raw material extracted from Yerevan Avan Salt Mine, and to identify the possibilities and scope of its application. The formulation of healing clays, anti-inflammatory agents, pain-relieving balms, beauty products, and skin scrubs having improved properties was developed using stable combinations of highly mineralized clay and natural additives based on the experimental findings.

Assessment of Antimicrobial Potential of Plagiochasma rupestre Coupled with Healing Clay Bentonite and AGNPS.

The impact of individual component, i.e., plant extract (Plagiochasma rupestre), biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), and healing clay (bentonite) as antimicrobial agent is reported but their combined effect as a ternary system is a new approach. This study is aimed at investigating the impact of the proposed ternary system against selected human pathogens. AgNPs were synthesized by using Plagiochasma rupestre extract (aqueous) as reducing agent and neutral polymer (PVP) as stabilizer. The morphology, size, and structural properties of synthesized AgNPs were determined with XRD and SEM analysis which showed spherical monomodal particles with an average particle size of 25.5 nm. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of the individual and nanoternary system were investigated. The phytochemical screening of plant extract showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenol, and glycosides in methanol extract as compare to aqueous and acetone extract. The antimicrobial activities of crude extracts of Plagiochasma rupestre with AgNPs and bentonite clay were studied as an appropriate candidate for treatment of microbial infections, especially bacterial and fungal diseases. The antioxidant activity of Plagiochasma rupestre aqueous extract and nanoparticles was assessed by (DPPH) free radical, and absorbance was checked at 517 nm. Crude extract has inhibitory effect towards bacteria and fungi, and bentonite clay also showed some degree of antimicrobial resistance. Strategy can be efficiently applied for future engineering and medical. The nanoternary systems showed 3 and 3.5 times higher antibacterial and antifungal activity, respectively, in comparison to Plagiochasma rupestre and bentonite clay, individually.

Characterization of Different Bentonites and Their Properties as a Protein-Fining Agent in Wine

Bentonite is a natural clay that is used in different industries as a desiccant, ion-exchange material, or additive to remove impurities. For example, marketed as healing clay and as protein-fining agent in wine, bentonite is expected to adsorb specific compounds while having no negative effects on the quality of the product in which it is used. In this study, 34 commercially available bentonites for different applications were selected and analyzed for their elemental composition, extraction of heavy metals, swelling behavior, and protein removal rate under conditions relevant to wine. The results indicate that bentonites can have a very variable composition that does not correlate with the intended use. The extraction of heavy metals is not directly related to the raw material and depends on swelling behavior and surface area of the clay. Interestingly, there is a similar degree of variability in swelling behavior among wine bentonites as there is for healing clays. This correlates with the protein removal rate but also with the extraction of iron, a transition metal that is known for its catalytic activity for oxidation reactions. Even though the protein removal rate is much higher than for other clays, bentonites that are marketed for wine show an extraction behavior that can have a negative effect on the final product.

Terra sigillata Silesiaca – historyczne pokłady śląskiej gliny leczniczej jako środek terapeutyczny

Terra sigillata Silesiaca – historical deposits of Silesian medicinal clay as therapeutic agent Clays, because of their medicinal properties, have been intuitively used in healing in all parts of the world since ancient times. The discovery of medicinal clay deposits used in Silesia – terra sigillata Silesiaca – dates back to 1550. The deposits were described in 1586 in a work published in Nuremberg entitled Judieum de terra sigillata strigoviensis. The author of the publication was the discoverer of Silesian healing clays – a Renaissance physician and geologist from Strzegom – Johann Schulz (1531–1604), known as Johannes Montanus. This discovery was also mentioned in 1583 by Andreas Berthold, an alchemist and empiricist, who was not a physician, in his work entitled Terrae sigillatae nuper in Germania repertae and Caspar Schwenckfeld (1563–1609), a spa physician from Cieplice-Zdrój, in his monograph from 1600, entitled Stirpium & Fossilium Silesiae Catalogus. Indications for using clay from Silesian deposits were also described in a work from 1737, entitled Rariora naturae & artis, item in re medica; oder, Seltenheiten der Natur und Kunst des kundmannischen Naturalien-Cabinets, wie auch in der Artzeney-Wissenschafft by Johann Kundmann (1684–1751), a physician of the von Hochberg family from Wrocław. By 1580, Silesian clay was already known as a remedy against dog rabies in the state of Hesse. In 1618, it was listed in the pharmaceutical work entitled Pharmacopoetia Londinensis, alongside clays from the Mediterranean region. According to the descriptions, this clay helped the population in 1633 as a prophylactic measure to control the plague epidemic and the mass extinction of cattle in Upper Silesia.

Risk assessment of elemental impurities in medicinal clay using an in vitro gastrointestinal digestion model for analysis of the bioaccessible amount of heavy metals

Risk assessment of elemental impurities in medicinal clay using an in vitro gastrointestinal digestion model for analysis of the bioaccessible amount of heavy metals

In Vitro Wound-Healing Properties of Water-Soluble Terpenoids Loaded on Halloysite Clay.

Recently, mineral healing clays have gained much attention for wound-dressing applications. Here, we selected halloysite (HAL) clay as a biocompatible, non-toxic material that is useful as a drug delivery system to enhance the healing properties of water-soluble terpenoids 1-3 (T1-3). Terpenoids-loaded HAL clay (TH1-3) was prepared and characterized by adsorption equilibrium studies, X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and release studies. The results reveal that T1-3 were adsorbed at the HAL surface with good efficiency. The prevalent mechanism of drug retention is due to the adsorption via electrostatic interactions between the cationic groups of the T1-3 and the HAL’s external surface. Release studies demonstrated that T3 was released in a higher percentage (>60%) compared to T1-2 (≈50%). Additionally, TH1-3 were assessed for their antimicrobial activity and capability to promote the re-epithelialization of scratched HaCat monolayers, through the time-kill test and the wound-healing assays, respectively. The results reveal that all the tested formulations were able to reduce the microbial growth after 1 h of incubation and that they ensured complete wound closure after 48 h. Furthermore, at the concentration of 1 µg/mL, TH3 exhibited 45% wound closure at 24 h, compared to TH1 (27%) and TH2 (30%), proving to be the best candidate in making the tissue-repair process easier and faster.

Functionalized Sepiolitic Clay Nanofibers as a Natural Ingredient in Medical Cosmetics

Medical clay also known as medicinal clay was first used in Mesopotamia around 2500 B.C and is still a relevant topic today. Among typical medical clays, sepiolite, a fibrous clay in the family of palygorskite is often ignored by cosmetic brands as it is not found abundantly in nature as much as other clays like bentonite. However, much of the world reserves of this clay are in Turkey. In this study, antibacterial sepiolite clay was prepared from nanosilver added dispersed sepiolite samples. These Ag-nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) were formed according to green synthesis under microwave heating using the additives like alginate polymer and ascorbic acid later these fibers were put through serial dilution antibacterial tests using gram +/- bacteria (ATCC 25922 and ATCC 25923) for general quality control and determining minimum inhibitory concentrations. Although the best antibacterial clay samples (Ag-NPs have theoretically 30mg/L of silver content) were washed at least five times with distilled water, it was observed that their antibacterial stability was still maintained. Finally, the morphology of sepiolite fibers smaller than 40 nm was characterized by AFM images show that highly dispersed single fibers can be used as a natural raw material and have a great opportunity in the development of new products in the cosmetic and medical sector.

PENGARUH BENTONIT PER ORAL TERHADAP PENURUNAN KADAR GLUKOSA DARAH TIKUS MODEL DIABETES MELITUS YANG DIINDUKSI ALOKSAN MONOHIDRAT

In Indonesia, it is estimated that there would be increasing in number of diabetes mellitus patients become 12 million cases in 2030. The expensive cost of conventional medications motivates people to find alternative medication. Bentonite is a natural clay which is a good absorbent and frequently called as healing clay for its potency in body detoxification. This study is an experimental research to prove bentonite which is a good absorbent and adsorbent in decreasing blood glucose concentration in diabetes mellitus. Subject of this research is 20 female Wistar rats which weigh 150–250 g. These subjects were divided into two groups: control group and bentonite group. Diabetes is induced by alloxan monohydrate 150mg/kg intraperitoneally, causing β cell necrosis in pancreas. Result of independent t-test showed that bentonite could significantly lower blood glucose levels with average value of 131.30 mg/dL (p=0.010). This concludes that bentonite canreduce blood glucose level in diabetic-induced rats.

PENGARUH BENTONIT PER ORAL TERHADAP PENURUNAN KADAR GLUKOSA DARAH TIKUS MODEL DIABETES MELITUS YANG DIINDUKSI ALOKSAN MONOHIDRAT

In Indonesia, it is estimated that there would be increasing in number of diabetes mellitus patients become 12 million cases in 2030. The expensive cost of conventional medications motivates people to find alternative medication. Bentonite is a natural clay which is a good absorbent and frequently called as healing clay for its potency in body detoxification. This study is an experimental research to prove bentonite which is a good absorbent and adsorbent in decreasing blood glucose concentration in diabetes mellitus. Subject of this research is 20 female Wistar rats which weigh 150–250 g. These subjects were divided into two groups: control group and bentonite group. Diabetes is induced by alloxan monohydrate 150mg/kg intraperitoneally, causing β cell necrosis in pancreas. Result of independent t-test showed that bentonite could significantly lower blood glucose levels with average value of 131.30 mg/dL (p=0.010). This concludes that bentonite can reduce blood glucose level in diabetic-induced rats.

The interweaving roles of mineral and microbiome in shaping the antibacterial activity of archaeological medicinal clays

Ethnopharmacological relevanceMedicinal Earths (MEs), natural aluminosilicate-based substances (largely kaolinite and montmorillonite), have been part of the European pharmacopoeia for well over two millennia; they were used generically as antidotes to ‘poison’. Aim of the studyTo test the antibacterial activity of three Lemnian and three Silesian Earths, medicinal earths in the collection of the Pharmacy Museum of the University of Basel, dating to 16th-18th century and following the methodology outlined in the graphical abstract. To compare them with natural clays of the same composition (reference clays) and synthetic clays (natural clays spiked with elements such as B, Al, Ti and Fe); to assess the parameters which drive antibacterial activity, when present, in each group of samples. Materials and methodsa total of 31 samples are investigated chemically (ICP-MS), mineralogically (both bulk (XRD) and at the nano-sized level (TEM-EDAX)); their organic load (bacterial and fungal) is DNA-sequenced; their bioactivity (MIC60) is tested against Gram-positive, S. aureus and Gram-negative, P. aeruginosa. ResultsReference smectites and kaolinites show no antibacterial activity against the above pathogens. However, the same clays when spiked with B or Al (but not with Ti or Fe) do show antibacterial activity. Of the six MEs, only two are antibacterial against both pathogens. Following DNA sequencing of the bioactive MEs, we show the presence within of a fungal component, Talaromyces sp, a fungus of the family of Trichocomaceae (order Eurotiales), historically associated with Penicillium. Talaromyces is a known producer of the exometabolite bioxanthracene B, and in an earlier publication we have already identified a closely related member of the bioxanthracene group, in association with one of the LE samples examined here. By linking fungus to its exometabolite we suggest that this fungal load may be the key parameter driving antibacterial activity of the MEs. ConclusionsAntibacterial activity in kaolinite and smectite clays can arise either from spiking natural clays with elements like B and Al, or from an organic (fungal) load found only within some archaeological earths. It cannot be assumed, a priori, that this organic load was acquired randomly and as a result of long-term storage in museum collections. This is because, at least in the case of medicinal Lemnian Earth, there is historical evidence to suggest that the addition of a fungal component may have been deliberate.

Elevated Arsenic and Lead Concentrations in Natural Healing Clay Applied Topically as a Treatment for Ulcerative Dermatitis in Mice.

Ulcerative dermatitis in laboratory mice remains an ongoing clinical problem and animal welfare issue. Many products have been used to treat dermatitis in mice, with varying success. Recently, the topical administration of healing clays, such as bentonite and green clays, has been explored as a viable, natural treatment. We found high concentrations of arsenic and lead in experimental samples of therapeutic clay. Given the known toxic effects of these environmental heavy metals, we sought to determine whether the topical administration of a clay product containing bioavailable arsenic and lead exerted a biologic effect in mice that potentially could introduce unwanted research variability. Two cohorts of 20 singly housed, shaved, dermatitis free, adult male CD1 mice were dosed daily for 2 wk by topical application of saline or green clay paste. Samples of liver, kidney and whole blood were collected and analyzed for total arsenic and lead concentrations. Hepatic and renal concentrations of arsenic were not different between treated and control mice in either cohort; however, hepatic and renal concentrations of lead were elevated in clay treated mice compared to controls in both cohorts. In addition, in both cohorts, the activity of δ-aminolevulinate acid dehydratase, an enzyme involved with heme biosynthesis and a marker of lead toxicity, did not differ significantly between the clay-treated mice and controls. We have demonstrated that these clay products contain high concentrations of arsenic and lead and that topical application can result in the accumulation of lead in the liver and kidneys; however, these concentrations did not result in measurable biologic effects. These products should be used with caution, especially in studies of lead toxicity, heme biosynthesis, and renal α2 microglobulin function.

In vitro antibacterial activities of selected TB drugs in the presence of clay minerals against multidrug-resistant strain of Mycobacterium smegmatis

Healing clay is a rich source of diverse minerals. The relevance of these indigenous minerals in the improvement of antibiotic chemotherapy against prevailing bacterial pathogens is yet to be thoro...

Green medicinal clay in the treatment of the unspecified lumbar pain: clinical trial

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Lower back pain is one of the musculoskeletal diseases with the highest incidence all over the world. In approximately 85% of the cases it is classified as unspecified, which means that it has no evident cause. With that in mind, geotherapy is a non-invasive technique that allows control over the lower back pain. The goal of this study was to evaluate the results of geotherapy on the relief of the unspecified lower back pain. METHODS: Semi-experimental quantitative clinical trial, comparing before and after states, including 26 participants who received four applications of green clay cataplasm on the lower back region with an interval of seven days. The pain intensities before and after the interventions were evaluated by a visual analogical scale and an Oswestry Disability Index questionnaire. For the data analysis, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov and t Student methods were used, with a significance level of 5% (p<0.05). RESULTS: There was significant statistics that showed lower back pain relief with the cataplasm mode geotherapy using green clay, reaching p = 0.0001 in the visual analog scale. CONCLUSION: The geotherapy with green clay applied on the lower back region of the body was effective on diminishing of the unspecified chronic lower back pain.

Prospects for the Use of Medical Clays (Review)

Introduction. The article deals with the aspects of the use of Medical Clays in Pharmaceutical Technology. A review of the traditional areas of application of Medical Clay, as well as highlighting new directions.Text. One of the main problems of domestic industrial pharmacy is a narrow nomenclature of active pharmaceutical substances and excipients. Replenishment of the nomenclature occurs in two ways-through the synthesis of new chemical compounds or through the processing of natural raw materials of animal, plant or mineral origin. In the process of purification and processing of mineral raw materials, Medical Clays are obtained, which are now widely used as active pharmaceutical substances for the production of Enterosorbents, as well as auxiliary substances.Conclusion. A review of perspectives and areas of use of Medicinal Clays have shown that at present, Medical Clays used in the three traditional areas: cutaneous application, application per os, application in pharmaceutical and food technology. A promising direction is the use of Medical Clays as transport drug systems. The study of this information array and its generalization has undoubted practical and scientific significance in modern pharmaceutical technology.

Phylogenetic diversity and metabolic potential of microbiome of natural healing clay from Chamliyal (J&K).

Clay therapy for skin disease treatment is an ancient practice popular worldwide as a cheap alternative to pharmaceutical products. Effectiveness of clay against skin problems has been linked to its mineral composition and to microbial activity. The clay-water paste of a holy shrine Chamliyal in the Jammu region of J&K, India is used as an ointment to treat different skin disorders particularly psoriasis. Using the 16 SrDNA amplicon pyrosequencing and whole-metagenome direct shotgun Illumina sequencing, microbial phylogeny and potential metabolic functions were catalogued for Chamliyal's clay. Microbial diversity profile of the Chamliyal's clay is similar to other medicinal clays, particularly Dead Sea; there is some uniqueness as well. Although Proteobacteria, Actinomycetes and Firmicutes are common inhabitants of all the clay types, sulphur- and iron-reducing bacteria like Deferribacterales are particular to clays used for skin healing. In the present study it is proposed that healing properties of clay may be due to the microbes and microbial genes associated with metabolism of minerals like iron and sulphur, that lead to mineral acquisition in the Chamliyal's clay.

PR095: Clinical effects of medicinal clay in supportive therapy of patients with chronic periodontitis

PR095: Clinical effects of medicinal clay in supportive therapy of patients with chronic periodontitis

Smectite for acute infectious diarrhoea in children

BackgroundAs mortality secondary to acute infectious diarrhoea has decreased worldwide, the focus shifts to adjuvant therapies to lessen the burden of disease. Smectite, a medicinal clay, could offer a complementary intervention to reduce the duration of diarrhoea.ObjectivesTo assess the effects of smectite for treating acute infectious diarrhoea in children.Search methodsWe searched the Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group Specialized Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE (Pubmed), Embase (Ovid), LILACS, reference lists from studies and previous reviews, and conference abstracts, up to 27 June 2017.Selection criteriaRandomized and quasi‐randomized trials comparing smectite to a control group in children aged one month to 18 years old with acute infectious diarrhoea.Data collection and analysisTwo review authors independently screened abstracts and the full texts for inclusion, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias. Our primary outcomes were duration of diarrhoea and clinical resolution at day 3. We summarized continuous outcomes using mean differences (MD) and dichotomous outcomes using risk ratios (RR), with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Where appropriate, we pooled data in meta‐analyses and assessed heterogeneity. We explored publication bias using a funnel plot.Main resultsEighteen trials with 2616 children met our inclusion criteria. Studies were conducted in both ambulatory and in‐hospital settings, and in both high‐income and low‐ or middle‐income countries. Most studies included children with rotavirus infections, and half included breastfed children.Smectite may reduce the duration of diarrhoea by approximately a day (MD ‐24.38 hours, 95% CI ‐30.91 to ‐17.85; 14 studies; 2209 children; low‐certainty evidence); may increase clinical resolution at day 3 (risk ratio (RR) 2.10, 95% CI 1.30 to 3.39; 5 trials; 312 children; low‐certainty evidence); and may reduce stool output (MD ‐11.37, 95% CI ‐21.94 to ‐0.79; 3 studies; 634 children; low‐certainty evidence).We are uncertain whether smectite reduces stool frequency, measured as depositions per day (MD ‐1.33, 95% CI ‐2.28 to ‐0.38; 3 studies; 954 children; very low‐certainty evidence). There was no evidence of an effect on need for hospitalization (RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.75 to 1.15; 2 studies; 885 children; low‐certainty evidence) and need for intravenous rehydration (RR 0.77, 95% CI 0.54 to 1.11; 1 study; 81 children; moderate‐certainty evidence). The most frequently reported side effect was constipation, which did not differ between groups (RR 4.71, 95% CI 0.56 to 39.19; 2 studies; 128 children; low‐certainty evidence). No deaths or serious adverse effects were reported.Authors' conclusionsBased on low‐certainty evidence, smectite used as an adjuvant to rehydration therapy may reduce the duration of diarrhoea in children with acute infectious diarrhoea by a day; may increase cure rate by day 3; and may reduce stool output, but has no effect on hospitalization rates or need for intravenous therapy.

Cuando uno más uno es mayor que dos

&#x0D; Los ingenieros requieren de creatividad e ingenio para encontrar soluciones eficaces, eficientes y costo efectivas a los problemas que afectan a la humanidad. El trabajo interdisciplinario o colaborativo ha sido una forma exitosa para ofrecer soluciones factibles. En el caso de encontra soluciones al aumento de la resistencia de los microbios a los antibióticos, el enfoque colaborativo está mostrando buenos resultados.&#x0D; La resistencia a los antibióticos y a los antimicrobianos en general, es un problema (http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/antibiotic-resistance/es/) [1] con múltiples causas. De otro lado, las soluciones también pueden ser múltiples. La ingeniería y las ciencias de la salud se complementan para crear la sinergia necesaria para proponer unas de estas soluciones.&#x0D; En el laboratorio de investigación del Dr. Julián Davies en el Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología de la Universidad de British Columbia en Vancouver, Canadá se ha puesto en práctica este enfoque para atacar la resistencia a los antibióticos desde los aspectos de la prevención de la propagación de la resistencia y de la búsqueda de nuevos agentes antimicrobianos.&#x0D; En el caso de prevención, los departamentos de Ingeniería Civil y Mecánica junto con Microbiología han investigado el proceso de tratamiento de aguas residuales como un foco de concentración y distribución de bacterias resistentes a antibióticos. Como resultado, se han propuestos cambios operacionales en las plantas de tratamiento de agua como por ejemplo, respecto al duración de retención de lodos. En el caso de nuevos agentes, el departamento de Microbiología ha estudiado las arcillas medicinales como agentes antimicrobianos [2]. Sin embargo, para poder obtener y analizar este tipo de arcillas, se requiere la participación de los departamentos de Ingeniería Minera y Civil para estudiar depósitos, buscar formas para extracción del material, así como para realizar estudios físicos y químicos de arcillas. Además, los recursos Bioinformáticos hacen posible analizar las comunidades bacterianas presentes en el ambiente y su relación con los componentes del depósito y sus propiedades medicinales [3]. Ingeniería, informática y microbiología se juntan para proponer solución al problema.&#x0D; Ahora podemos preguntarnos cómo desarrollar una visión interdisciplinaria durante el proceso formativo que pueda transferirse más tarde al ejercicio profesional. Se pueden destacar por lo menos tres aspectos importantes. Primero, desarrollar un deseo por ampliar nuestro entendimiento de los problemas que más afectan nuestro entorno y meditar en sus causas y plantearnos alternativas de soluciones. Segundo, esforzarnos por estar actualizados en los avances y nuevos desarrollos en nuestra área de interés, muchas veces implica tener una rutina de lectura regular de artículos tecnológicos y científicos, y de asistencia a seminarios o charlas. Por último, proponer y participar en proyectos de investigación que involucren la colaboración con otros departamentos dentro de la universidad, aprendiendo y participando activamente en la creación de soluciones. El factor común entre estos aspectos es nuestro interés por ser hacedores, innovadores y líderes de la búsqueda de alternativas para dar soluciones a los problemas del mundo en que vivimos y como se ha visto, ¡es posible! &#x0D;