Barmer, Sept. 18 -- Scientists at IIT Jodhpur have uncovered a powerful new link between bacterial proteins and brain health, offering fresh hope in the fight against Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and other neurological disorders. In a breakthrough with global healthcare implications, the team led by Dr. Neha Jain, associate professor in the department of bioscience and bioengineering, has discovered dual-action amyloid inhibitors that can both weaken deadly bacterial infections and prevent harmful protein buildup in the brain. The work, carried out at the institute's Functional Amyloid Biology Lab, marks a major step forward in tackling two of the toughest challenges in medicine-antibiotic-resistant infections and neurodegenerative diseases. The team has identified novel amyloid inhibitors-substances that can block harmful protein clumps known as amyloids. These protein deposits play a double role in human health: bacteria use them to form biofilms, making infections resistant to antibiotics, while in humans, amyloid buildup in the brain is linked to Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and other neurological disorders. "This is a significant milestone," said Dr. Jain. "The same inhibitor can potentially be used to treat bacterial infections as well as prevent harmful amyloid accumulation in the brain. Our research is about protecting lives and creating healthier communities through affordable innovation." One major focus of the lab is breaking bacterial biofilms-slimy shields that protect microbes, especially in hospital settings. These defenses are a major reason why antibiotics fail against superbugs. By targeting amyloids that help build these shields, Dr. Jain's team is finding ways to make existing treatments more effective. In international collaborations, the researchers are also investigating how bacterial proteins in the gut may worsen neurological conditions by triggering immune responses. This line of work could pave the way for early diagnosis and intervention in diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The research has been published in high-impact journals like Biomaterials Science and PNAS USA....