Medical device coatings that stop bacterial biofilms
Antimicrobial Biomaterials that Interfere with Bacterial Nucleotide Messenger Signaling
Researchers will attach small chemical compounds to implant materials to block bacteria from forming protective biofilms on catheters and other devices.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hershey, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11321106 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project is developing coatings for common implant materials that are designed to interrupt bacterial signaling that causes biofilms to form. The team will tether small molecules onto polymers used in devices like catheters and test whether those surfaces reduce bacterial attachment and biofilm growth. Tests will be done in laboratory experiments and in animal models using several clinically important bacteria to see if the coatings also make antibiotics work better. If the coatings work, they could be adapted for use on a range of implantable medical devices.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who have or are planning to receive implanted medical devices such as catheters, prosthetic joints, or other indwelling devices would be the eventual candidates for this work.
Not a fit: Patients with infections that are not related to implanted devices or that are caused by organisms not affected by the targeted signaling pathways are less likely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could lower the risk of device-related infections, reduce antibiotic use, and decrease the need to remove or replace infected devices.
How similar studies have performed: Previous lab and animal studies have shown that anti-biofilm coatings can reduce bacterial adhesion, but using tethered small molecules to block bacterial nucleotide signaling is a relatively new and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Hershey, United States
- Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr — Hershey, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xu, Lichong — Pennsylvania State Univ Hershey Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Xu, Lichong
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 below.