Dr Muhammad Yasir

Senior Research Associate

PhD in Medical Microbiology ( University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia, 2020)

MPhil in Microbiology (Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan, 2013)

Medicine & Health

School of Optometry and Vision Science

My research focuses on investigating the mechanisms of action of newly designed antimicrobial peptides and peptidomimetics. These new antimicrobials are able to kill many different types of microbes including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. I am particularly interested in how these new antimicrobials prevent microbes from colonizing surfaces. My research has applications for preventing the transmission of disease and reducing the incidence of hospital-acquired infections.

E-mail

m.yasir@unsw.edu.au

Journal articles | 2024

Bahatheg G; Kuppusamy R; Yasir M; Bridge S; Mishra SK; Cranfield CG; StC. Black D; Willcox M; Kumar N, 2024, 'Dimeric peptoids as antibacterial agents', Bioorganic Chemistry, 147, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bioorg.2024.107334

Journal articles | 2024

Hong Z; Yu TT; Yasir M; Sara M; Black DSC; Willcox MDP; Kuppusamy R; Kumar N, 2024, 'Daidzein-Based Amphiphilic Small Molecular Antimicrobial Peptidomimetics as Novel Antimicrobial Agents with Anti-Biofilm Activity', ChemistrySelect, 9, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/slct.202400502

Journal articles | 2024

Kruse HV; Chakraborty S; Chen R; Kumar N; Yasir M; Lewin WT; Suchowerska N; Willcox MDP; McKenzie DR, 2024, 'Protecting Orthopaedic Implants from Infection: Antimicrobial Peptide Mel4 Is Non-Toxic to Bone Cells and Reduces Bacterial Colonisation When Bound to Plasma Ion-Implanted 3D-Printed PAEK Polymers', Cells, 13, pp. 656, http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/cells13080656

Journal articles | 2024

Sara M; Hui A; Yasir M; Peguda HK; Kalaiselvan P; Willcox M, 2024, 'Intrastromal Corneal Ring Implants Associated Bacterial Infections', Current Eye Research, 49, pp. 1012 - 1020, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02713683.2024.2354438

Journal articles | 2024

Sara M; Yasir M; Kalaiselvan P; Hui A; Kuppusamy R; Kumar N; Chakraborty S; Yu TT; Wong EHH; Molchanova N; Jenssen H; Lin JS; Barron AE; Willcox M, 2024, 'The activity of antimicrobial peptoids against multidrug-resistant ocular pathogens', Contact Lens and Anterior Eye, 47, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.clae.2024.102124

Journal articles | 2024

Yasir M; Willcox MDP, 2024, 'The use of ultraviolet light generated from light-emitting diodes for the disinfection of transvaginal ultrasound probes', PLoS ONE, 19, pp. e0298449, http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0298449

Journal articles | 2023

Kalaiselvan P; Yasir M; Vijay AK; Willcox MDP; Tummanapalli S, 2023, 'Longevity of hand sanitisers on fingers', Clinical and Experimental Optometry, 106, pp. 436 - 442, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08164622.2022.2040334

Journal articles | 2023

Kuppusamy R; Yasir M; Yu TT; Voli F; Vittorio O; Miller MJ; Lewis P; Black DSC; Willcox M; Kumar N, 2023, 'Tuning the Anthranilamide Peptidomimetic Design to Selectively Target Planktonic Bacteria and Biofilm', Antibiotics, 12, pp. 585, http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12030585

Journal articles | 2023

Mishra SK; Yasir M; Willcox M, 2023, 'Candida auris: an emerging antimicrobial-resistant organism with the highest level of concern', The Lancet Microbe, 4, pp. e482 - e483, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2666-5247(23)00114-3

Journal articles | 2023

Willcox MDP; Bahatheg G; Carnt N; Kalaiselvan P; Kumar N; Kuppusamy R; Rayamajhee B; Sara M; Stapleton F; Vijay AK; Yasir M; Yu TT, 2023, 'Biofilms and contact lenses: problems and solutions', Microbiology Australia, 44, pp. 96 - 99, http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/MA23027

Journal articles | 2023

Yasir M; Park J; Han E-T; Park WS; Han J-H; Kwon Y-S; Lee H-J; Chun W, 2023, 'Computational Exploration of Licorice for Lead Compounds against Plasmodium vivax Duffy Binding Protein Utilizing Molecular Docking and Molecular Dynamic Simulation', MOLECULES, 28, http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/molecules28083358

Journal articles | 2023

Yasir M; Park J; Han E-T; Park WS; Han J-H; Kwon Y-S; Lee H-J; Chun W, 2023, 'Computational Exploration of the Effects of Mutations on GABA Aminotransferase in GABA Aminotransferase Deficiency', INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES, 24, http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijms241310933

Journal articles | 2023

Yasir M; Park J; Han E-T; Park WS; Han J-H; Kwon Y-S; Lee H-J; Hassan M; Kloczkowski A; Chun W, 2023, 'Exploration of Flavonoids as Lead Compounds against Ewing Sarcoma through Molecular Docking, Pharmacogenomics Analysis, and Molecular Dynamics Simulations', MOLECULES, 28, http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/molecules28010414

Journal articles | 2023

Yasir M; Park J; Han E-T; Park WS; Han J-H; Kwon Y-S; Lee H-J; Hassan M; Kloczkowski A; Chun W, 2023, 'Investigation of Flavonoid Scaffolds as DAX1 Inhibitors against Ewing Sarcoma through Pharmacoinformatic and Dynamic Simulation Studies', INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES, 24, http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijms24119332

Journal articles | 2022

Bahatheg G; Kuppusamy R; Yasir M; Black DSC; Willcox M; Kumar N, 2022, 'Short Tryptamine-Based Peptoids as Potential Therapeutics for Microbial Keratitis: Structure-Function Correlation Studies', Antibiotics, 11, pp. 1074, http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11081074

Journal articles | 2022

Cometta S; Jones RT; Juárez-Saldivar A; Donose BC; Yasir M; Bock N; Dargaville TR; Bertling K; Brünig M; Rakić AD; Willcox M; Hutmacher DW, 2022, 'Melimine-Modified 3D-Printed Polycaprolactone Scaffolds for the Prevention of Biofilm-Related Biomaterial Infections', ACS Nano, 16, pp. 16497 - 16512, http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.2c05812

Journal articles | 2022

Hassan M; Yasir M; Shahzadi S; Kloczkowski A, 2022, 'Exploration of Potential Ewing Sarcoma Drugs from FDA-Approved Pharmaceuticals through Computational Drug Repositioning, Pharmacogenomics, Molecular Docking, and MD Simulation Studies', ACS OMEGA, 7, pp. 19243 - 19260, http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.2c00518

Journal articles | 2022

Kalaiselvan P; Yasir M; Kuppusamy R; Willcox M; Vijay AK, 2022, 'Ability of Essential Oil Vapours to Reduce Numbers of Culturable Aerosolised Coronavirus, Bacteria and Fungi', Antibiotics, 11, pp. 393, http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11030393

Journal articles | 2022

Khan HA; Yasir M; Castel A, 2022, 'Performance of cementitious and alkali-activated mortars exposed to laboratory simulated microbially induced corrosion test', Cement and Concrete Composites, 128, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2022.104445

Journal articles | 2022

Khosravanihaghighi A; Koshy P; Yasir M; Romanazzo S; Lovric V; Kilian KA; Willcox MD; Walsh WR; Sorrell CC, 2022, 'Production of Antibacterial Activity and Bone Cell Proliferation by Surface Engineering of Ga- or Mn-Doped Ceria-Coated Biomedical Titanium Alloy', Advanced Engineering Materials, 24, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/adem.202200077

Journal articles | 2022

Magar LB; Rayamajhee B; Khadka S; Karki G; Thapa A; Yasir M; Thapa S; Panta OP; Sharma S; Poudel P, 2022, 'Detection of Bacillus Species with Arsenic Resistance and Plant Growth Promoting Efficacy from Agricultural Soils of Nepal', Scientifica, 2022, http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2022/9675041

Journal articles | 2022

Yasir M; Kumar Vijay A; Willcox M; Vijay A, 2022, 'Antiviral effect of multipurpose contact lens disinfecting solutions against coronavirus', Contact Lens and Anterior Eye, 45, pp. 101513, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.clae.2021.101513

Journal articles | 2022

Yasir M; Nawaz A; Ghazanfar S; Okla MK; Chaudhary A; Al WH; Ajmal MN; AbdElgawad H; Ahmad Z; Abbas F; Wadood A; Manzoor Z; Akhtar N; Din M; Hameed Y; Imran M, 2022, 'Anti-bacterial activity of essential oils against multidrug-resistant foodborne pathogens isolated from raw milk.', Braz J Biol, 84, pp. e259449, http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1519-6984.259449

Journal articles | 2021

Bhattacharjee S; Joshi R; Chughtai A; Heslop D; Wilcox M; MacIntyre R, 2021, 'Graphene and nanoparticles coated antimicrobial and biocompatible cotton/silk fabrics for protective clothing', ACS Applied Bio Materials

Journal articles | 2021

Din M; Babar KM; Shah D; Sarwar G; Khan S; Sadaf H; Ahmed SS; Ali FL; Yasir M; Ahmed N, 2021, 'Dissemination of NDM-1 in pseudomonas aeruginosa and klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from pus samples in tertiary care hospitals of Quetta, Pakistan', Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, 71, pp. 228 - 232, http://dx.doi.org/10.47391/JPMA.259

Journal articles | 2021

Yasir M; Dutta D; Willcox MDP, 2021, 'Enhancement of Antibiofilm Activity of Ciprofloxacin against Staphylococcus aureus by Administration of Antimicrobial Peptides', Antibiotics, 10, pp. 1 - 17, http://dx.doi.org/10.20944/preprints202108.0451.v1

Journal articles | 2021

Yasir M; Dutta D; Willcox MDP, 2021, 'Enhancement of antibiofilm activity of ciprofloxacin against staphylococcus aureus by administration of antimicrobial peptides', Antibiotics, 10, pp. 1159, http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics10101159

Journal articles | 2021

Yu TT; Kuppusamy R; Yasir M; Hassan MM; Sara M; Ho J; Willcox MDP; Black DS; Kumar N, 2021, 'Polyphenylglyoxamide‐based amphiphilic small molecular peptidomimetics as antibacterial agents with anti‐biofilm activity', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22, pp. 7344, http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijms22147344

Journal articles | 2020

Cho K; Yasir M; Jung M; Willcox MDP; Stenzel MH; Rajan G; Farrar P; Prusty BG, 2020, 'Hybrid engineered dental composites by multiscale reinforcements with chitosan-integrated halloysite nanotubes and S-glass fibers', Composites Part B: Engineering, 202, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2020.108448

Journal articles | 2020

Willcox MDP; Chen R; Kalaiselvan P; Yasir M; Rasul R; Kumar N; Dutta D, 2020, 'The development of an antimicrobial contact lens – from the laboratory to the clinic', Current Protein and Peptide Science, 21, pp. 357 - 368, http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389203721666191231110453

Journal articles | 2020

Yasir M; Dutta D; Hossain KR; Chen R; Ho KKK; Kuppusamy R; Clarke RJ; Kumar N; Willcox MDP, 2020, 'Mechanism of Action of Surface Immobilized Antimicrobial Peptides Against Pseudomonas aeruginosa', Frontiers in Microbiology, 10, pp. 3053, http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2019.03053

Journal articles | 2020

Yasir M; Dutta D; Kumar N; Willcox MDP, 2020, 'Interaction of the surface bound antimicrobial peptides melimine and Mel4 with Staphylococcus aureus', Biofouling, 36, pp. 1019 - 1030, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08927014.2020.1843638

Journal articles | 2020

Yasir M; Dutta D; Willcox MDP, 2020, 'Activity of Antimicrobial Peptides and Ciprofloxacin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilms', Molecules, 25, pp. 3843, http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/molecules25173843

Journal articles | 2020

Yu TT; Kuppusamy R; Yasir M; Hassan MM; Alghalayini A; Gadde S; Deplazes E; Cranfield C; Willcox MDP; Black DS; Kumar N, 2020, 'Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of biphenylglyoxamide-based small molecular antimicrobial peptide mimics as antibacterial agents', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 21, pp. 1 - 38, http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijms21186789

Journal articles | 2019

Tran C; Yasir M; Dutta D; Eswaramoorthy N; Suchowerska N; Willcox M; McKenzie DR, 2019, 'Single Step Plasma Process for Covalent Binding of Antimicrobial Peptides on Catheters to Suppress Bacterial Adhesion', ACS Applied Bio Materials, 2, pp. 5739 - 5748, http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acsabm.9b00776

Journal articles | 2019

Yasir M; Dutta D; Willcox MDP, 2019, 'Author Correction: Comparative mode of action of the antimicrobial peptide melimine and its derivative Mel4 against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Scientific Reports, (2019), 9, 1, (7063), 10.1038/s41598-019-42440-2)', Scientific Reports, 9, pp. 13267, http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-49307-6

Journal articles | 2019

Yasir M; Dutta D; Willcox MDP, 2019, 'Comparative mode of action of the antimicrobial peptide melimine and its derivative Mel4 against Pseudomonas aeruginosa', Scientific Reports, 9, pp. 7063, http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-42440-2

Journal articles | 2019

Yasir M; Dutta D; Willcox MDP, 2019, 'Mode of action of the antimicrobial peptide Mel4 is independent of Staphylococcus aureus cell membrane permeability', PLoS ONE, 14, pp. e0215703, http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0215703

Journal articles | 2018

Kuppusamy R; Yasir M; Berry T; Cranfield CG; Nizalapur S; Yee E; Kimyon O; Taunk A; Ho KKK; Cornell B; Manefield M; Willcox M; Black DSC; Kumar N, 2018, 'Design and synthesis of short amphiphilic cationic peptidomimetics based on biphenyl backbone as antibacterial agents', European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 143, pp. 1702 - 1722, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejmech.2017.10.066

Journal articles | 2018

Kuppusamy R; Yasir M; Yee E; Willcox M; Black DSC; Kumar N, 2018, 'Guanidine functionalized anthranilamides as effective antibacterials with biofilm disruption activity', Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry, 16, pp. 5871 - 5888, http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/c8ob01699b

Journal articles | 2018

Yasir M; Willcox MDP; Dutta D, 2018, 'Action of antimicrobial peptides against bacterial biofilms', Materials, 11, pp. 2468, http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ma11122468
Conference Papers | 2022

Sara M; Alex H; Chen R; Kumar N; Rajesh K; Kumar Mishara SK; Barron A; Yasir MUHAMMAD; Willcox M; Yasir M, 2022, 'Antimicrobial activity of peptoids against clinical pathogens.', in Antimicrobial activity of peptoids against clinical pathogens., USA, presented at peptoidsummit2022, USA, 11 August 2022 - 12 August 2022

Conference Presentations | 2021

Bhattacharjee S; Joshi R; Yasir M; Adhikari A; Chughtai A; Heslop D; Bull R; Willcox M; MacIntyre R, 2021, 'Next-generation PPE: synergistic antimicrobial activity and low-cytotoxicity of graphene-derivative and nanoparticles on cotton/silk fabrics', presented at MRS Fall Meeting & Exhibit 2021, 06 December 2021 - 08 December 2021

Preprints | 2021

Kalaiselvan P; Yasir M; Willcox M; Vijay AK, 2021, Efficacy of anti-microbial gel vapours against aerosolised coronavirus, bacteria, and fungi, http://dx.doi.org/10.1101/2021.10.27.466182

Conference Abstracts | 2021

Sara M; Kuppusamy R; Afzal M; Khan M; Yasir M; Kalaiselvan P; Hui A; Kumar N; Willcox M, 2021, 'Synergistic activity of a peptide mimic with quinolones and cephalosporins against Staphylococcus aureus', in INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE, ASSOC RESEARCH VISION OPHTHALMOLOGY INC, Vol. 62, https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000690760500400&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a29b250adbe88d1

Conference Papers | 2018

Mohammad Y; Dutta D; Willcox MARKDUNCAN, 2018, 'The role of antimicrobial peptides in reducing bacterial biofilms', Sydney, presented at Molecular Microbiology Meeting, Sydney, 11 April 2018 - 12 April 2018

Preprints | 2018

Yasir M; Dutta D; Willcox MDP, 2018, Comparative mode of action of antimicrobial peptide melimine and its derivative Mel4 against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, http://dx.doi.org/10.1101/450577

Contract Research Grant (AUS$ 300,000)

Bridge and BridgeTech REDI Fellowship through MTP connects ($10000)
Academic Research Excellence Research Award by School of Optometry and Vision Science UNSW
Travel award from Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) virtual meeting (USA) ($2500)
Best paper award from the school of Optom and Vision Science UNSW Sydney Australia ($1000)
Science writing fellowship award from Faculty of Science, University of New South Wales Australia ($6000)
Travel ward from International Society for Contact Lens Research (ISCLR meeting in (Singapore) ($5000)
Travel Award from American Society for Microbiology (ASM meeting in Sans Francisco) ($2000)
Travel award for World Life Science Conference Beijing, China ($3000)
Cornea and Contact Lens Society of Australia (CCLSA) research award ($3500)
Best abstract award in Molecular Microbiology Meeting by Australian Society for Microbiology ($500)
Top Up Scholarship from School of Optometry and Vision Science UNSW ($28000)
Teaching Fellowship award from School of Optometry and Vision Science UNSW.
Ph.D Scholarship from University of New South Wales.
Higher Education awards for FATA and Balochistan students by HEC Pakistan (0.25 milliom PKR).
First class 1^st position in M.Sc (Gold Medal) with 0.1 million PKR cash prize.
Talent Farming Scholarship for M.Sc by Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan (0.1 million PKR)

Activity and mechanism of action of antimicrobial peptides (natural and synthetic)
Mechanism of action of surface-bound antimicrobial peptides and peptidomimetics
Antimicrobial activity and mode of action of natural products (plants based)
Anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal activity of disinfectants and biomedical devices
Synergistic activity of multipurpose disinfecting solution and peptides mimics
Development of drug resistance in planktonic and colonized bacteria
Biofilms and their control strategies

Professional membership:

American Society for Microbiology

Australian Society for Microbiology

Cornea and Contact Lens Society of Australia

My Research Supervision

Manjulatha Sara -PhD Co-supervisor

Shakeel Shahzad -PhD Co-supervisor

Jiawei Shen -PhD Co-supervisor

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