Antimicrobial agents have dramatically reduced the number of deaths from infectious diseases since their introduction 70 years ago. However, through overuse and misuse, many micro-organisms have become resistant to them.
Antimicrobial peptides (AMP) are gaining increasing interest as potential therapeutics due to their ability to kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria and their potential as antibioļ¬lm agents. Since AMPs target bacterial membranes, it will likely be difficult for microorganisms to develop resistance to AMPs.
In this Project, we will use antimicrobial peptides nanoencapsulated in mesoporous biopolymeric/magnetic nanoparticle composites materials. Objectives
The nanovectors will be delivered to implant surfaces as thin coatings via laser light, using a deposition technique called MAPLE (Matrix Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation).
Research
The deposited nanoparticle layers will be thoroughly investigated by AFM (surface roughness of coatings, surface parameters, 3D surface profiles), SEM (particles shape, coalescence, diameter assessment), TEM (biopolymer crystallinity, visualization of composing layers), XRD (crystallinity of composing elements), FTIR (comparison of functional peaks from both targets and coatings spectra) and adherence tests at the substrate-nanocoating interfaces.
Research
The antimicrobial activity will be assessed on planktonic and biofilm embedded in ESKAPE Gram-negative rods pathogens.
Research
Biocompatibility and antibacterial efficiency of nanovectors will be tested in a final in vivo step on white holoxenic mice.
Research
Project research team will broaden the professional experience with knowledge and
skills in the field of materials science, physics, chemistry, biology, and engineering at the nanoscale of atoms and molecules. Team