ANFOMAT - Novel materials for medical devices based on biofunctionalized surfaces with antifouling properties

This two-year project, which commenced in March 2012 and is funded by Fondazione Cariplo, aims at developing innovative antibiotic-free functionalized materials to resist infections of vascular and urinary catheters using compounds with known anti-biofilm activities. Given the less innovation in the field of antimicrobial discovery research and development over the past 20 years and the alarming incidence of recalcitrant device- related infections, the need for an innovative anti-infective material to replace the presently dominating drug/device products and integrate with traditional chemotherapy minimising antibiotic use and sidestep resistance is becoming imperative. In this contest, the use of bio-inspired molecules able to interfere, in sublethal doses, with the pathogenic cascade represents an ideal strategy to pursue. Depriving microorganisms of their virulence properties without affecting their existence may also decrease selection pressure for drug-resistant mutations, restoring the efficacy of traditional antimicrobial agents. The new strategy consists in interfering with the key-steps that orchestrate device-pathogen interactions; thus, infection cascade might be hampered. In the light of the previous considerations, the main goal of the applied research project is to develop innovative non-leaching, long lasting, cost-effective bio-hybrid materials to prevent device-related infections using compounds with known anti-biofilm activities. The main objectives of the project are defined as follows: Objective 1: Chemical modification of the anti-biofilm compounds and enzymes in order to improve their affinity and retention on the surface. Objective 2: Functionalization of the surface of synthetic polymers already used in medical devices with the anti-biofilm compounds Objective 3: Evaluation of the efficacy of bio-hybrid materials to hinder microbial colonization and subsequent biofilm formation compared to conventional products used in the medical field. Objective 4: Evaluation of the ability of the biofunctionalized materials to enhance the susceptibility of established biofilms to traditional chemotherapies. Objective 5: Evaluation of the biocompatibility/toxicity of the biofunctionalized materials The research project benefits of the collaboration of the two Partners Università deli Studi di Milano and Centro Nazionale delle Ricerche. Dr. Francesca Cappitelli is the Project Coordinator. For further information please visit ANFOMAT website at http://www.anfomat.unimi.it/