A new surface to prevent infections in catheters
Official title: Durable fluid-like surface for sustainable biofilm inhibition
Funded at University of Texas Dallas · NIH-10877731 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new coating for catheters that could help stop harmful bacteria from sticking to them, which can lead to urinary tract infections, making it safer for patients who need catheters.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Dallas NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richardson, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $78,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R03AI175720-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10877731 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients who require long-term catheterization, such as those with urinary retention or undergoing certain surgical procedures.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not require catheterization or have short-term catheter use may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a novel surface coating for catheters that can prevent the formation of harmful bacterial biofilms, which are a major cause of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). The approach involves creating a quasi-liquid surface that interacts differently with bacteria, potentially inhibiting their ability to adhere and form biofilms for over 30 days. By using flexible polymers chemically bonded to catheter materials, this innovative solution aims to provide a long-lasting defense against infections without the need for external controls. If successful, this could significantly reduce the incidence of CAUTIs in patients requiring catheterization.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a significant reduction in catheter-associated urinary tract infections, improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been various approaches to inhibit biofilm formation, this specific method of using a quasi-liquid surface is a novel concept that has not been extensively tested in clinical settings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Dallas
Richardson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dai, Xianming — University of Texas Dallas
- Study coordinator: Dai, Xianming
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.