Project description
An antimicrobial catheter
Catheter-associated infections are caused by bacterial biofilms and require prolonged and extensive use of antibiotics, leading to the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant strains that are difficult to treat. In answer to this, scientists of the EU-funded PHOTO-IASIS project propose to develop novel catheters featuring an antimicrobial nanocoating that exhibits anti-biofilm properties. The coating consists of light-activated material that destroys the biofilm upon visible light irradiation delivered on the catheter surface through an optical fibre in the catheter opening. With a simple push of a button, this innovative design will tackle catheter-associated infections and minimise antimicrobial resistance in the hospital setting.
Objective
Catheter-associated infections are characterized by the formation of a bacterial biofilm on their surface and are a major clinical problem today with huge socioeconomic implications. As a result, apart from longer hospital admissions that dramatically increase healthcare costs, in order to fight these infections increased antibiotic drug doses are used. This approach places selective pressure on pathogens and, especially in nosocomial settings, facilitates the emergence of antimicrobial resistant bacteria that are more difficult, if at all possible, to treat. In fact, catheter-associated infections by antimicrobial resistant bacteria are potentially lethal, especially in patients with compromised immune system (cancer, HIV patients). So, there is an urgent societal and clinical need to reduce such infections. The target of this project is to re-engineer catheters that exhibit anti-biofilm properties due to the presence of an antimicrobial nanocoating. This coating will consist of a photo-active material that destroys the biofilm upon visible light irradiation. The light will be delivered on the catheter surface by an optical fiber through the catheter opening. This will enable biofilm destruction with a simple push of a button. The developed catheter here will revolutionize this field by reducing such catheter-associated infections, minimizing the emergence of drug resistant bacteria and improving the public health worldwide. The supervisor’s unique expertise in nanomaterial synthesis using flame spray pyrolysis (FSP), and in applying the resulting nanoparticles to specific biomedical applications combined with that of the applicant’s in nanoparticles and photocatalysis reassures a mutual benefit between the applicant and the host institute and enhances the feasibility of this proposal.
Fields of science
Not validated
Not validated
- medical and health scienceshealth sciencespublic health
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicineimmunology
- medical and health scienceshealth sciencesinfectious diseasesRNA virusesHIV
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacypharmaceutical drugsantibiotics
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicineoncology
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)Coordinator
17177 Stockholm
Sweden