The Development Of Novel, Biofilm-resistant Biomaterials
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$147,360.00
Summary
Almost all patients who are catheterised long term develop a bacterial infection. Most often, the infection is the result of colonisation of the catheter surface by bacteria. Bacterial colonisation of the surface of biomedical devices represents a significant health threat as such bacterial biofilms are extremely resistant to traditional antibiotic regimens. This project aims to develop novel materials that prevent bacterial colonisation on catheters and other biomedical related devices. Our tec ....Almost all patients who are catheterised long term develop a bacterial infection. Most often, the infection is the result of colonisation of the catheter surface by bacteria. Bacterial colonisation of the surface of biomedical devices represents a significant health threat as such bacterial biofilms are extremely resistant to traditional antibiotic regimens. This project aims to develop novel materials that prevent bacterial colonisation on catheters and other biomedical related devices. Our technology is based on compounds identified from a marine alga that prevent bacterial colonisation of its surface. Similarly, we have shown that these compounds, when coated onto test surfaces, prevent bacterial colonisation of a range of materials.Read moreRead less
Development And Evaluation Of Novel Antibacterial Coatings For The Prevention Of Infection On Biomedical Devices
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$284,402.00
Summary
This project aims to develop infection-resistant coatings that can be applied to a wide range of biomedical devices used in human health care. Novel antibacterial compounds from Australian plants (genus Eremophila) will be coated as thin layers onto model materials used for biomedical device fabrication, then onto real-life biomedical products and evaluated for ability to deter colonization by biofilm-forming human pathogenic bacteria.
Molecular Basis Of Asymptomatic Colonization Of The Human Urinary Tract
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$461,894.00
Summary
Urinary tract infections (UTI) are among the most common infectious diseases of humans and a major cause of morbidity and mortality. In the USA, UTI accounts for >$1.6 billion in medical expenses each year. It is estimated that 50% of women will develop a UTI in their lifetime. This research aims to understand the processes by which bacteria colonize the human bladder and the surface of urinary catheters. The work has implications for the development of new approaches to prevent and treat UTI ....Urinary tract infections (UTI) are among the most common infectious diseases of humans and a major cause of morbidity and mortality. In the USA, UTI accounts for >$1.6 billion in medical expenses each year. It is estimated that 50% of women will develop a UTI in their lifetime. This research aims to understand the processes by which bacteria colonize the human bladder and the surface of urinary catheters. The work has implications for the development of new approaches to prevent and treat UTI.Read moreRead less
Urinary Tract E. Coli: The Good Guys Versus The Bad Guys
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$296,150.00
Summary
Escherichia coli is the primary cause of urinary tract infection (UTI) in the developed world. In Australia alone, E. coli affects more than 250,000 yearly to the extent where they require medical intervention. It is estimated that one in four women and one in twenty men will develop a UTI in their lifetime and in the USA UTIs result in $1.6 billion in medical expenses each year. Uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) strains readily form biofilms on indwelling catheters and recent evidence suggests that ....Escherichia coli is the primary cause of urinary tract infection (UTI) in the developed world. In Australia alone, E. coli affects more than 250,000 yearly to the extent where they require medical intervention. It is estimated that one in four women and one in twenty men will develop a UTI in their lifetime and in the USA UTIs result in $1.6 billion in medical expenses each year. Uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) strains readily form biofilms on indwelling catheters and recent evidence suggests that they also form biofilm-like aggregates in the bladder. No treatment other than antibiotics (often inefficient due to resistance) is currently available. E. coli is also the most frequent cause of asymptomatic bacteriuria (ABU). ABU occurs in up to 6% of healthy individuals and affects high risk groups such as the elderly and diabetics. In general, most patients with ABU do not need treatment and in many cases the colonizing organism actually helps to prevent infection by other more virulent bacteria. The aim of this project is to compare UPEC and ABU E. coli for differences associated with virulence and biofilm growth. The project will generate a comprehensive and defined strain bank relative to E. coli that cause UTI. Understanding biofilm growth by this organism may lead to the development of improved and-or novel treatments. Furthermore, increased knowledge of ABU E. coli is essential if we are to fully explore the possibility of employing these organisms as probiotic agents to prevent infection by other pathogens in specific high risk patient groups.Read moreRead less
Coordinate Expression Of Virulence Factors In Pathogenic Escherichia Coli
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$239,250.00
Summary
Escherichia coli is a versatile pathogen capable of causing a range of disease types including diarrhoea, dysentery, haemolytic uremic syndrome, bladder and kidney infections, septicaemia, pneumoniae and meningitis. Infections due to pathogenic E. coli may be limited to mucosal surfaces or can disseminate throughout the body. Amongst the different classes of pathogenic E. coli, diarrheagenic strains (namely enterotoxigenic and enteroinvasive E. coli) are responsible for the death of an estimated ....Escherichia coli is a versatile pathogen capable of causing a range of disease types including diarrhoea, dysentery, haemolytic uremic syndrome, bladder and kidney infections, septicaemia, pneumoniae and meningitis. Infections due to pathogenic E. coli may be limited to mucosal surfaces or can disseminate throughout the body. Amongst the different classes of pathogenic E. coli, diarrheagenic strains (namely enterotoxigenic and enteroinvasive E. coli) are responsible for the death of an estimated one million humans per year, mainly in third world countries. The majority (80%) of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in humans are caused by E. coli and in Australia alone there are about 250,000 cases per year. It is estimated that one in four women and one in twenty men will develop a urinary tract infection in their lifetime. Pathogenic E. coli strains are normally equipped with multiple virulence factors and there is mounting evidence that the expression of such factors is finely orchestrated by mutual regulatory cross-talk. For example, expression of flagella (which provide motility) and adhesins (which provide attachment) are fundamentally counteracting phenotypes, yet the molecular and genetic mechanisms that coordinate their expression are unknown. I plan to examine inter-system cross-regulation of bacterial surface structures (namely adhesins, autoaggregaters, capsules and flagella). The aim is to understand on the molecular level how microorganisms orchestrate expression of virulence factors and will have consequences for our understanding of microbial pathogenicity. The strategy outlined may lead to new routes for strain attenuation and perhaps a method for vaccine strain construction. The research will be performed in collaboration with international high profile partners.Read moreRead less
The Biology Of Staphylococcus Epidermidis Biofilm Formation On Silicone Implantable Medical Devices And The Role Of Implant Surface Antibiotic Technology In The Prevention Of Bacterial Biofilm In And Animal Model
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$113,322.00
Summary
Hospital acquired infections continue to rise with over 60% occuring in patients with medical implants. Infections are due to skin bacteria forming a microscopic slime, or biofilm, around the implant. Biofilm infection is only diagnosed after implant removal, responds poorly to antibiotics, and can cause implant failure, such as joint loosening & bone infection in joint replacements and breast deformity with silicone implants. This project uses an animal model to evaluate different surface treat ....Hospital acquired infections continue to rise with over 60% occuring in patients with medical implants. Infections are due to skin bacteria forming a microscopic slime, or biofilm, around the implant. Biofilm infection is only diagnosed after implant removal, responds poorly to antibiotics, and can cause implant failure, such as joint loosening & bone infection in joint replacements and breast deformity with silicone implants. This project uses an animal model to evaluate different surface treatments to prevent bacterial biofilm formation.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms Of Interaction And Therapeutic Strategies For Polymicrobial Biofilms
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$607,231.00
Summary
A public health crisis is brewing with regard to hospital-acquired infections. The ability of bacterial and fungal organisms to attach and bind tightly to the surface of invasive medical devices is the root-cause of the majority of hospital-acquired infections. This research will study how bacteria and fungi interact in communities attached to medical devices, and devise strategies for their combined treatment.
Improving The Safety Of Implantable Medical Devices
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$775,924.00
Summary
Medical devices provide benefits but also have the potential to cause harm. Large amounts of data exist on medical devices after they have entered the market, but methods for analysing the data and rapidly detecting safety issues are lacking. The aim of the research is to improve the safety of implantable medical devices by using novel methods on existing data sources to develop an efficient and accurate post-market surveillance system.