Breaking Bad Biofilms. Innovative Analysis and Design Rules for Next-Generation Antifouling Interfaces

Project Information

BREAK BIOFILMS

Grant agreement ID: 813439

DOI

10.3030/813439

Project closed

EC signature date 20 August 2018

Start date 1 January 2019

End date 30 April 2023

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Total cost

€ 4 033 858,32

EU contribution

€ 4 033 858,32

Coordinated by

UNIVERSIDAD DE OVIEDO
Spain

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - BREAK BIOFILMS (Breaking Bad Biofilms. Innovative Analysis and Design Rules for Next-Generation Antifouling Interfaces)

Reporting period: 2021-01-01 to 2023-04-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Biofilms are communities of microorganisms which can be formed in all kinds of surfaces: plastic, metals, natural materials…They are all around us!
Although there is a number of "good" biofilms, which are used for wastewater treatment, bioremediation, or microbial leaching, this project aims to deal with the "bad" biofilms. They are responsible of about an 80% of the infections in humans, and cause several problems in the agrifood industries. In fact, microbial biofilms are the primary cause of biofouling of membranes and surfaces in both clinical and industrial settings.
This project brought together researchers from different fields: chemistry, electrochemistry, nanomaterials, microbiology, biotechnology, chemical engineering... This network addressed this problem based on four different strategies:
1. Understanding biofilm formation: it is a very complex multistep process, in which a variety of biological and physicochemical processes take place. Scanning electrochemical probe microscopy techniques are powerful tools to explore these processes at a single-cell level and provide a basis for understanding early stage biofilm formation.
2. Biofilm detection: since biofilms have a huge health and economic impact, we need to know where the "enemy" hides; usually, approaches for detection of biofilms are slow and may take up to several days. We aimed to develop more rapid and sensitive devices, and to bring them to the point of need.
3. Biofilm destruction: once the biofilms are detected, we need to remove them efficiently; there is a variety of agents to deal with them, but they all have non-desirable residual effects. Our network looked for not only for novel strategies for biofilm destruction, but also for green and sustainable disinfecting agents.
4. Biofilm inhibition: the process of biofilm formation can be disrupted at many points along the cycle. The development and use of nanoantimicrobials is a novel approach to prevent the adhesion of bacteria in first place and the subsequent formation of biofilms. Treatment of surfaces of interest with this type of nanomaterials may provide a controlled release of biocide metal ions.
BREAK BIOFILMS trained 15 young scientists, the Breakers, in cutting edge methodologies to fulfill these main goals.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, our network did significant progress on the main research objectives:
UNDERSTANDING BIOFILM FORMATION: For the first time, the use of scanning electron microscopy at stainless steel surfaces was described. In addition, in situ infrared attenuated total reflection spectroscopy (IR-ATR) was implemented for real-time and non-destructive observations of biofilm formation. The study of the mechanisms of biofilms formation and adhesion can be monitored at the single-cell level using scanning ion conductance microscopy, which provides information on cell membrane permeation dynamics and also on spatiotemporal characteristics of new treatments with antimicrobial activity
DETECTING BIOFILMS: Rapid, sensitive, and easy-to-use devices, such as Lab on a Disk or Lateral Flow Immunoassays were developed for detection of pathogens, achieving lower limits of detection in comparison with other works found in the literature. A new diamond based electrochemical sensor was developed for specific analysis of biofilms growth and inhibition by biocides. NIR-based system detection was implemented and tested in the agro food industry
BREAKING BIOFILMS: New products have been developed and/or formulated that showed antibacterial effect. In addition, they are a more sustainable alternative than traditional products used in the industry for the elimination of biofilms. A variety of new nanomaterials with antimicrobial activity have been produced, characterized, and tested. The nanomaterials are not only scalable and ready for industrial production. Nanomaterials hold strong antibiofilm activity with long-term bacteriostatic effects against foodborne pathogenic bacteria and related biofilms, making them an optimal choice for smart food packaging systems.
TRAINING THE BREAKERS: the cornerstone of this project, the next generation researchers. During the project, the network organized seven training events, which involved scientific training on a variety of techniques, communication in science and entrepreneurship sessions. In fact, our Breakers joined forces and their different cultural and scientific backgrounds to create highly interesting business proposals as a result of the entrepreneurship training plan, which may be a concept transferable to other ITN projects in the future.
The final event of the project was an open event, the Break Biofilm Workshop, held in Vienna on Janary 16-18, 2023. This event brought together experts in biofilm and bacterial research and set the stage for fruitful discussions with partners from other programs. The workshop was a success and a great opportunity for the ESRs to discuss and exchange opinions with experts in multidisciplinary fields, such as microbiology, biology, biochemistry, electrochemistry, and nanomaterials.

The main exploitable results that our netwok offer are:
• Universal reader for quantification in rapid tests (patent in preparation).
• Paper and nanoparticle based sensor for detection of pathogens.
• Near infrared spectroscopy sensor, with a portfolio of NIR-based chemometric algorithms for the detection and classification of most common biofilms formed in agrifood industry environments.
• Phage-derived products to remove biofilms
• Enzyme-nanoparticles antibacterial formulations
• Encapsulation of compounds with antimicrobial capacity, either traditional or natural compounds with reported antimicrobial capacity. Lyophilization and incorporation into films for food packaging applications.
• Production of novel nanomaterials with antimicrobial activity, ready for industrial production, for food packaging systems.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The methods and procedures developed in this project have a great marketable value. The ESRs of the network received training in transfer of results and entrepreneurship. In addition, the multidisciplinary nature of the network and the different scientific background led to the creation of highly interesting business proposals. This ensures that next to their scientific training, the ESRs also get exposed to alternative career paths strengthening the entrepreneurial landscape in Europe. BREAK BIOFIMLS boosted the R&I capacity within the network, and the new generation of researchers in biofilms have the ability to develop new tools and methods that will contribute to strengthen food security, rapid and early detection of pathogens, more sustainable strategies for an effective biofilm elimination, and novel nanomaterials with antimicrobial properties.
Visit our website at www.breakbiofilms.com to know more about our project!

Break Biofilms Logo

From detection to destruction: these are the main goals of the project. Created with BioRender.com