ABSTRACT: Implanted medical devices are at significant risk of developing bacterial biofilm-associated infections and approximately 60% of all hospital-acquired infections are due to biofilm formation on implanted devices. Bacterial biofilms are encased in an extracellular matrix, largely polysaccharide, which protects from antibiotics and the host immune system. Herein I will present three ‘bio-inspired’ approaches to design surfaces to prevent bacterial attachment and biofilm formation. One approach is highly specific to certain strains and involves the immobilization of a glycoside hydrolase enzyme (PslG) that specifically degrades the Psl exopolysaccharide of P. aeruginosa, a common opportunistic pathogen. The two other approaches are based on the modification of surface wettability, and are non-specific in their mechanism. One approach is the use of superhydrophobic surfaces designed to prevent bacterial attachment through control over the microtopography size. The final approach involves ‘slippery liquid infused porous surfaces’ (SLIPS), which can maintain a consistent surface liquid layer to act as an effective and robust barrier to bacterial attachment under long term growth conditions. An important consideration is how each of these approaches is better suited to different environments and applications.
Bio-sketch: Benjamin Hatton received his BScE (Queen’s), MScE (McMaster), PhD (Toronto).
Research Areas: bio-inspired materials design; self-assembly of nanocomposite and nanoporous structure; surface microstructure engineering; bacterial contamination of surfaces and biofouling; organic/inorganic templating; adaptive surface structures.
Professional Memberships: Materials Research Society (MRS); Society for Biomaterials