Project description
NIR-active 2D nanomaterial coatings against superbugs
Superbugs resistant to antibiotics are an increasing danger in hospitals, especially around implants. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the REDCOAT project is creating antibacterial coatings that use two-dimensional nanosheets of molybdenum and tungsten disulfide, which can absorb near-infrared (NIR) light and convert it into heat to kill bacteria. These coatings are enhanced with iron compounds to better target harmful bacteria while staying safe for human cells. They will be applied to titanium implants and tested for both antibacterial activity and biocompatibility with human cells. Using computer simulations and laboratory experiments, researchers will investigate how the coatings disrupt bacterial membranes, offering a new tool against infections.
Objective
"The emergence of antibiotic-resistant superbugs necessitates the development of innovative antimicrobial strategies. The ""Revolutionary Square-Phase 2D Materials for Advanced NIR-active Antimicrobial Coatings (REDCOAT)"" project aims to address this challenge by leveraging the unique properties of square-phase transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), specifically MoS2 and WS2, to design advanced antimicrobial coatings on titanium implants. REDCOAT will explore the synthesis, surface modification, and application of square-phase TMDC nanosheets, targeting their integration into next-generation NIR-active antimicrobial coatings.
MoS2/WS2 nanosheets will be synthesised with precisely controlled dimensions (100-500 nm edge lengths, 3-10 nm thickness) to exploit their NIR absorption and photothermal conversion capabilities. These nanosheets will be functionalized with an Iron-Gallic Acid-based metal-phenolic network (MPN) to enhance the interaction with bacterial membranes while ensuring biocompatibility. The functionalized TMDCs will be uniformly coated onto Ti6Al4V alloy implants, aiming for a coating thickness of 10-50 µm and surface roughness of 50-200 nm, optimised for effective antimicrobial activity and improved osseointegration.
To elucidate the interaction mechanisms between these coatings and bacterial cells, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations will be performed at 310 K with femtosecond resolution. These simulations will focus on the deformation of lipid bilayers and pore formation under different TMDC coverage levels (5%, 10%, 20%), providing insights into the antimicrobial efficacy of the coatings. Complementing this, in vitro biocompatibility studies will be conducted using human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) seeded on the coated Ti6Al4V discs, assessing cell viability, proliferation, and differentiation. The antimicrobial efficiency of the coatings will be tested against common pathogens and superbugs.
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Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry transition metals
- engineering and technology materials engineering coating and films
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology implants
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
90 924 LODZ
Poland
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.