Bacteriophage loaded polyelectrolyte coatings for the reduction of implant-associated infections

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Volker Alt; Privatdozent Dr. Martin Müller
• Subject Area: Biomaterials ; Polymer Materials ; Preparatory and Physical Chemistry of Polymers
• Term: since 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 491517909

The aim of this proposal is the development of innovative proteolytic coatings with bacteriophages (PHAG) to prevent and treat implant-associated infections (IAI), which pose huge burden on healthcare systems. Alternative therapeutic approaches to conventional antibiotic based ones are required to address this topic. PHAG are viruses that live on bacteria, replicate inside and are subsequently released out by bacteria lysis. The lytic cycle of PHAG has recently been introduced to treat planktonic bacterial infections and can potentially be used as innovative approach to fight IAI. In this proposal we aim to develop novel polyelectrolyte (PEL) based coatings with either permanently or temporarily bound PHAG for metallic implants, which protect the implant surface against bacterial proliferation and biofilm formation. For this physicochemical, in-vitro and in-vivo methods will be used. PHAG/PEL coatings will be explored at model substrates and validated at established Kirschner-wires (TiAlFe alloy) for their compatibility with osteoblasts and human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and microbiological efficiency of the coated implant against planktonic (i) and intracelllular (ii) bacteria and biofilm formation (iii). For the in-vivo studies, we will use our alternative in-vivo infection model of Galleria mellonella larvae to respect modern animal welfare guidelines. In summary in this proposal we aim to develop a novel biomaterial approach against IAI based on PHAG coatings.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants