Inhibition och detektion av bakterier baserad på cellmembran-mimetiska självorganiserande monolager

Purpose and goal:

The project aimed to develop the host company´s rSAM technology for the detection and inhibition of drug-resistant bacteria. The MSCA researcher, in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team of researchers at Malmö University, has successfully developed such surfaces. The emphasis of the work has been on rSAM-based surface modification for sensitive microscopy-based detection of resistant bacteria in biofilms and is now transferred to nanoparticles for bacterial inhibition and elimination.

Expected results and effects:

rSAM-based detection and inhibition of drug-resistant bacteria can be of great importance in microbiology. The technology leads to a drastic increase in sensitivity and specificity in the detection step and is independent of expensive and sensitive biomolecules such as antibodies, which can increase cost-effectivness. In the near term, we believe that rSAMs can be used to detect bacteria, and in the longer term for the development of effective antibacterial treatments.

Approach and implementation:

The MSCA researcher has led the project, practically developed the chemistry around the surface modification and communicated the project results in the form of publications, conference contributions and as part of teaching in master´s and doctoral courses within MaU:s research profile "Biobarriers" and industry-research school "Combine". The project has benefited from the employment of a KKS-funded microbiologist from Ukraine who performed most of the microbiological investigations.