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Scientists at Nottingham Trent University have unveiled new findings showing how to fight infections using small particles of gold. The findings could help revolutionise the way we look a fighting infections in the future. The team has developed a method of making microscopic particles of gold with antibiotics. The tests so far have been extremely positive and indicate that the particles are highly potent at neutralising bacteria such as E Coli.

The findings of the tests have been published in the Journal of Materials Chemistry and detail how the team has been able to control the production of nanoparticles as part of a chemical reaction. The tests have proven that the particles are highly robust and effective in both acidic and alkaline environments alike.

The gold within the nanaoparticles creates holes in the cell walls of the bacteria which reduces their resistance to antibiotics. The ability to coat particles with antibiotics could lead to exciting and innovative new ways of looking at how we fight bacteria over the coming years.

Carole Perry, professor at the School of Science and Technology said: "What we've managed to do has the potential for use in a wide range of applications. The material could be coated onto hospital door handles and windows to fight the spread of infection, or even be impregnated into bandages and dressings for wounds."