Descripción del proyecto
Combatir las biopelículas bacterianas
Las bacterias poseen una capacidad inherente de crecer sobre superficies en agregados conocidos como biopelículas. Estas comunidades microbianas son responsables de numerosas infecciones hospitalarias y resultan difíciles de erradicar con desinfectantes. Con el fin de abordar esta necesidad médica, el equipo del proyecto financiado con fondos europeos BREAK BIOFILMS se propone formar a investigadores noveles para comprender el proceso de formación de las biopelículas y desarrollar una nueva generación de biocidas. Se concentrarán en el desarrollo de métodos para la identificación y detección rápidas de biopelículas, así como de herramientas para inhibirlas. En conjunto, el trabajo podría resultar útil tanto en el ámbito industrial como biomédico.
Objetivo
Biofilms, i.e. communities of micro-organisms that attach and grow on a solid surface, cause about 80% of infections in humans and disinfectants rarely succeed in destroying them. They cost European economy billions of euro annually. The BREAK BIOFILMS Training Network aims to solve this issue by training the next generation leaders. They will understand the (bio)physicochemical mechanisms of biofilm formation, be able to produce technology for detecting and identifying biofilm formation with extreme sensitivity, and develop next generation biocides for preventing and destroying biofilms in industrial and biomedical areas. This integrated strategy from biofilm detection to destruction that builds on key innovations from the partner labs, is globally distinctive and promises significant progress. The network brings together world leaders in sensors, cell imaging, microbiology, interfacial engineering and nanoformulation from 6 universities, 9 companies, a research centre, and a Business and Innovation Centre. Thus, it is ideal to provide technical, industrial and business training to 15 ESRs and support the missions of the industry partners who will provide deep insights into the most pressing and impactful challenges. The graduates will be ideally placed to enter and support existing European industry across a number of different sectors (biomedical, food, antimicrobials). However, they will also be capable of creating new businesses thanks to a combination of in depth training in entrepreneurship and direct experience of establishing and running a virtual company as part of the training network. Beyond the trained researchers, this project will produce technologies that will enhance the productivity of European industry, create intellectual property with a strong probability of commercialization and improve the health and well-being of European citizens by minimizing infection rates and the inappropriate use of ineffective biocides that is leading to resistance.
Ámbito científico
- social scienceseconomics and businessbusiness and managemententrepreneurship
- social scienceseconomics and businesseconomicsproduction economicsproductivity
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensors
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiology
Palabras clave
Programa(s)
Régimen de financiación
MSCA-ITN - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Networks (ITN)Coordinador
33003 OVIEDO
España