Antibiotic-Free Antibiofilm Surfaces

Surfaces based on antimicrobial agents lose their efficacy over time, and they can potentially trigger antimicrobial resistance. Therefore, there is a pressing need to develop novel antibiofilm strategies without involving antibiotics.

Estimates suggest that biofilm infections cost the US healthcare system about $94 billion every year (1). Moreover, around 6–14% of hospitalised patients suffer from biofilm infections associated with medical devices – such as urinary catheters, peritoneal dialysis catheters, tracheal prostheses, pacemakers, endotracheal tubes, dental implants and orthopaedic implants (2).

Research aims

In this work, we aim to develop innovative slippery surfaces, including liquid-infused surfaces and liquid-like solid surfaces, that dramatically resist biofilm formation. All these materials are biocompatible. 

These advanced materials offer a game-changing solution to a persistent problem. By preventing microbial attachment and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) production, they pave the way for safer medical devices, cleaner marine equipment, and more hygienic food processing environments.

Methodology

Our research leverages state-of-the-art facilities and expertise to drive innovations in antibiofilm surfaces. We use the advanced imaging capabilities of our Materials Characterisation Centre (LMCC) and custom-designed bacterial culture systems, including microfluidics setups, to investigate biofilm resistance under both static and dynamic conditions.

To comprehensively analyse the material surfaces, we employ a suite of sophisticated techniques such as in-house goniometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). For biofilm characterisation, we rely on fluorescence microscopy and SEM, enabling us to capture intricate details of bacterial attachment and growth.

This cutting-edge research is supported by an ongoing EPSRC grant (EP/V049615/1, EP/V049615/2, EP/V049348/1). It is further bolstered by several EPSRC Doctoral Training Partnership projects, EPSRC CASE projects, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (Award Number BB/R012415/1 - 04POC21-309) via the National Biofilms Innovation Centre (NBIC) which provide critical funding and collaboration opportunities.

This robust infrastructure and funding support, allows us to push the boundaries of materials science and biofilm research to deliver impactful solutions across diverse industries. 

Findings

Our research has unveiled groundbreaking solutions: liquid-infused surfaces and liquid-like solid surfaces, both of which demonstrate exceptional resistance to biofilm formation (3,4).

In static culture systems, both surface types significantly reduce biofilm formation by 3-4 log, showcasing their efficacy. When tested in dynamic culture systems, liquid-like solid surfaces maintain their impressive antibiofilm performance, achieving a 3-4 log reduction (4). While liquid-infused surfaces experience some degradation in dynamic conditions, they still resist biofilm formation effectively, achieving a 2-3 log reduction (4).

Building on these findings, our most recent work has revealed even more promising results. Liquid-like solid surfaces not only resist biofilm formation but also effectively prevent crystal formation in challenging environments, such as artificial urine. Remarkably, these surfaces maintained their performance over weeks of continuous exposure, highlighting their durability and potential for long-term applications.

Impact

These advances mark a significant step forward in the fight against biofilm-related challenges. Whether for medical devices, marine equipment, food packaging or other biofouling related industries, our innovative surfaces offer a promising pathway toward safer and more efficient technologies. 

References

  1. Wolcott, R. D.; Rhoads, D. D.; Bennett, M. E.; Wolcott, B. M.; Gogokhia, L.; Costerton, J. W.; Dowd, S. E. Chronic Wounds and the Medical Biofilm Paradigm. Journal of Wound Care 2010, 19, 45–53.
  2. Sousa, C.; Henriques, M.; Oliveira, R. Mini-Review: Antimicrobial Central Venous Catheters – Recent Advances and Strategies. Biofouling 2011, 27, 609–620.
  3. Cao, Y.; Jana, S.; Tan, X.; Bowen, L.; Zhu, Y.; Dawson, J.; Han, R.; Exton, J.; Liu, H.; McHale, G.; Jakubovics, N.; Chen, J. Anti-Wetting and Anti-Fouling Performances of Different Lubricant-Infused Slippery Surfaces. Langmuir 2020, 36 (45), 13396–13407.
  4. Zhu, G.; McHale, J.; Dawson, J.; Armstrong, G.; Wells, R.; Han, R.; Liu, H.; Vollmer, P.; Stoodley, N. S.; Jakubovics, J.; Chen, J. Slippery Liquid-Like Solid Surfaces with Promising Antibiofilm Performance in Both Static and Flow Conditions. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2022, 14 (7), 6307–6317.

Meet our experts

PhD students contributing to this work:

  • Yunyi Cao
  • Yufeng Zhu
  • Kaylee Coaster
  • Kinza Yaseen