Dr Nitin Patil is a Group Leader and NHMRC Peter Doherty Fellow at the Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, where he leads a chemistry team involved in the development of bioactive peptides (polymyxin and laterocidine) and synthetic oligonucleotides (peptide nucleic acids). His chemistry-driven antimicrobial research encompasses efficient conjugation chemistry, unique backbone-modified oligonucleotides, innovative antisense antibiotics and peptidomimetics. Dr Patil has been instrumental in establishing a peptide-oligonucleotide synthetic platform and played a key role in developing lipopeptide drug BRII-693 (previously known as QPX-9003), a Phase-I clinical candidate for multidrug-resistance infections. Through his oligonucleotides-based research program, he also developed unique backbone-modified Peptide Nucleic Acids and has already established a strong foundation for developing advanced therapeutic and diagnostic agents. This attests to his outstanding leadership and high-quality research. His innovative research bridges two major bioorganic-medicinal chemistry areas: peptides and oligonucleotides. Being an AI, Dr Patil will provide access to these novel methodologies for synthetic peptides and oligonucleotides to Centre members.