Project description
Antimicrobial vesicles-containing hydrogels for the treatment of infections
Bacterial resistance against antibiotics is quickly becoming the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Effective, focused treatments of bacterial infections are required to prevent the formation of new resistances. The researchers of the EU-funded Gels4Bac project aim to develop a novel antibacterial treatment based on their previous discovery that, upon contact with culture media from pathogens, bacteria produce potent antimicrobial vesicles. The objective is to incorporate these vesicles into hydrogels responsive to pathogenic factors for selective and local release in the presence of specific pathogens. This novel treatment will limit side effects, creating new options for selectively treating infections.
Objective
The rise of bacterial resistance against antibiotic drugs is becoming the leading cause for morbidity and mortality worldwide. In Europe alone, up to 33,000 people die each year from infections with resistant bacteria. Current antibiotic therapy often suffers from low selectivity, adverse side effects in other organs and impaired ability to overcome bacterial barriers. These problems limit the efficacy of our antibiotic arsenal. Local and effective eradication of bacterial infections is of utmost importance to avert the formation of new resistances.
My research centres on naturally derived vesicles. All living cells and microorganisms produce these nanoparticles and equip them with unique features for transport and targeted delivery of molecules. I have previously discovered a new group of bacteria-derived vesicles with low cytotoxicity and inherent antibiotic activity. Upon contact with culture supernatant from pathogens, bacteria produce higher potent antimicrobial vesicles. Now, I would like to incorporate these vesicles into hydrogels – Gels4Bac – that respond to pathogenic factors in the infection environment. Once the hydrogel encounters these factors, antimicrobial vesicles are selectively and locally released in the presence of specific pathogens. The local application reduces time until treatment, adverse side effects and unspecific killing of beneficial microbiota.
Gels4Bac will create new options for selectively treating infectious dispositions. Stimulation of vesicle producing bacteria with pathogen-derived components may open an on-demand customisable, quick and cost-effective approach for treatment. In addition, it creates new avenues for the discovery of novel antimicrobial agents besides current screening and medicinal chemistry. Such platform technology is imperative to equip Europe in its fight against the rise of infections with resistant bacteria, and will boost Europe's scientific competitiveness in infection therapy.
Fields of science
- social sciencessociologydemographymortality
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologybacteriology
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicinemedicinal chemistry
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacypharmaceutical drugsantibiotics
- engineering and technologynanotechnologynano-materials
Programme(s)
Topic(s)
Funding Scheme
ERC-STG - Starting GrantHost institution
91054 Erlangen
Germany