Periodic Reporting for period 1 - BIOACTION (Bacteria Biofilm as bio-factory for tissue regeneration)
Période du rapport: 2023-04-01 au 2024-03-31
Fighting infections and microbial resistance presents an ever-pressing challenge in the field of healthcare. Implant-associated infections, for example, increase the risk of device rejection, compromising patient health and contributing to the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance. Standard treatments, including prolonged antibiotic regimens, often prove futile against these resilient bacterial communities, exacerbating the issue.
In this scenario, Bioaction takes a bold and innovative stance, departing from traditional approaches: rather than combating pathogenic bacteria head-on, Bioaction leverages them as valuable allies in promoting tissue regeneration for better implant integration. This novel perspective offers a paradigm shift in addressing infections. The project is developing functional bio-hydrogels capable of triggering local remodelling of physiological processes to accelerate healing and stimulate bone growth and designed as injectable materials or implant coatings for minimally invasive delivery.
In this scenario, Bioaction takes a bold and innovative stance, departing from traditional approaches: rather than combating pathogenic bacteria head-on, Bioaction leverages them as valuable allies in promoting tissue regeneration for better implant integration. This novel perspective offers a paradigm shift in addressing infections. The project is developing functional bio-hydrogels capable of triggering local remodelling of physiological processes to accelerate healing and stimulate bone growth and designed as injectable materials or implant coatings for minimally invasive delivery.
Significant progress has been achieved in the first year of the BIOACTION project. This includes the selection of polymers or peptides for the development of bio-hydrogels based on their mechanical properties, bioactivity, biocompatibility and stability. So far, eight formulations for injectable hydrogels were developed and 2 for implant coatings. Additionally, work has started on preparing lipid-based liposomes with a two-faced outer shell containing lipoplexes for engineering bacteria. In the first year, efforts focused on the preparation of lipoplexes and the outer shell. Furthermore, we started the genetic engineering of biological carriers (Bacteriophages- BPs) to transform biofilm-associated bacteria for specific protein production. As of now we have collected BPs targeting two specific bacteria in the biofilm and assess protocols for optimal growth and infection. We have also started to identify genes upregulated during biofilm formation in 4 bacteria as well as specific biofilm-responsive promoters. These promoter sequences will be used for targeted expression of pro-regenerative proteins, which has been preliminarily verified in the model bacteria E. coli. Finally, the safety of both neat and composite injectable hydrogels was evaluated in terms of cell viability and proliferation which leads the pathway for future assessment of the in vitro and in vivo efficacy BIOACTION hydrogels.
Within the project, researchers will actively validate the technology using clinically relevant models for dental implants and permanent transcutaneous prostheses. However, the transformative impact of Bioaction extends far beyond these specific cases. By reducing reliance on extended antibiotic therapies and mitigating failure rates, this pioneering project holds the power to revolutionise infection treatment methods. In the long run, Bioaction strives to enhance patients’ quality of life while making significant contributions to the worldwide battle against antimicrobial resistance.