Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are one of the most serious challenges facing health programs. The difficulty in launching new generations of antibiotics has taken the problem to the extreme and several possible solutions, such as combinations of antibiotics, have not had the necessary effect. In this presentation, we will explain the basis of photodynamic therapy and demonstrate how sub-dose photodynamic action can break bacterial resistance, making bacteria susceptible again to traditional antibiotics. We will also present other optical microbiological control techniques. The application of these techniques in treating pharyngotonsillitis and antibiotic-resistant pneumonia should be presented. Several ongoing clinical applications for cancer and other diseases will be covered. We will discuss and present new experiments as possible solutions to many challenging health problems.

Dr. Vanderlei S. Bagnato

Bagnato is a biomedical engineering professor at Texas A&M and a professor of physics at the IFSC Institute of Physics of São Carlos in Brazil. He is an elected member of several of the world's most prestigious scientific institutions, including the US National Academy of Sciences, the US National Academy of Engineering, the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, and the Brazilian Academy of Sciences.

“This recognition carries profound meaning to me and brings new responsibilities, not only as a scholar, but as someone whose academic journey began in Brazil and was shaped by the values, spirit and aspirations of two great institutions and countries,” Bagnato said. “Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to grow within vibrant scientific communities, surrounded by colleagues and students who continuously inspire me to pursue meaningful research and impactful teaching.”

Bagnato’s work spans photo-dynamic therapy, biomedical optics and atomic and nuclear physics. He is a pioneer in the production of cold atoms, with major contributions in Bose-Einstein condensation experiments, quantum turbulence and the production of the first atomic clock in Latin America. He has also made significant contributions to the use of photodynamic action for the treatment of cancer and microbiological control.

Bagnato’s biomedical optics research program has generated several startup companies and created new employment opportunities. His team also conducted the first clinical applications of photodynamic therapy in Brazil for cancer treatment and microbiological control. He has developed and published educational materials for students and early-career researchers across a wide range of optics topics and their applications while establishing a dedicated TV channel to broadcast lectures and demonstrations to audiences throughout Brazil.