BREAK BIOFILMS — Breaking Bad Biofilms. Innovative Analysis and Design Rules for Next-Generation Antifouling Interfaces

Results in brief

Breaking Bad Biofilms. Innovative Analysis and Design Rules for Next-Generation Antifouling Interfaces

Biofilms are communities of microorganisms which can be formed in all kinds of surfaces: plastic, metals, natural materials…They are all around us! Although there is a number of "good" biofilms, which are used for wastewater treatment, bioremediation, or microbial leaching, this project aims to deal with the "bad" biofilms. They are responsible of about an 80% of the infections in humans, and cause several problems in the agrifood industries. In fact, microbial biofilms are the primary cause of biofouling of membranes and surfaces in both clinical and industrial settings. This project brought together researchers from different fields: chemistry, electrochemistry, nanomaterials, microbiology, biotechnology, chemical engineering... This network addressed this problem based on four different strategies: 1. Understanding biofilm formation: it is a very complex multistep process, in which a variety of biological and physicochemical processes take place. Scanning electrochemical probe microscopy techniques are powerful tools to explore these processes at a single-cell level and provide a basis for understanding early stage biofilm formation. 2. Biofilm detection: since biofilms have a huge health and economic impact, we need to know where the "enemy" hides; usually, approaches for detection of biofilms are slow and may take up to several days. We aimed to develop more rapid and sensitive devices, and to bring them to the point of need. 3. Biofilm destruction: once the biofilms are detected, we need to remove them efficiently; there is a variety of agents to deal with them, but they all have non-desirable residual effects. Our network looked for not only for novel strategies for biofilm destruction, but also for green and sustainable disinfecting agents. 4. Biofilm inhibition: the process of biofilm formation can be disrupted at many points along the cycle. The development and use of nanoantimicrobials is a novel approach to prevent the adhesion of bacteria in first place and the subsequent formation of biofilms. Treatment of surfaces of interest with this type of nanomaterials may provide a controlled release of biocide metal ions. BREAK BIOFILMS trained 15 young scientists, the Breakers, in cutting edge methodologies to fulfill these main goals.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

Biofilms, i.e. communities of micro-organisms that attach and grow on a solid surface, cause about 80% of infections in humans and disinfectants rarely succeed in destroying them. They cost European economy billions of euro annually. The BREAK BIOFILMS Training Network aims to solve this issue by training the next generation leaders. They will understand the (bio)physicochemical mechanisms of biofilm formation, be able to produce technology for detecting and identifying biofilm formation with extreme sensitivity, and develop next generation biocides for preventing and destroying biofilms in industrial and biomedical areas. This integrated strategy from biofilm detection to destruction that builds on key innovations from the partner labs, is globally distinctive and promises significant progress. The network brings together world leaders in sensors, cell imaging, microbiology, interfacial engineering and nanoformulation from 6 universities, 9 companies, a research centre, and a Business and Innovation Centre. Thus, it is ideal to provide technical, industrial and business training to 15 ESRs and support the missions of the industry partners who will provide deep insights into the most pressing and impactful challenges. The graduates will be ideally placed to enter and support existing European industry across a number of different sectors (biomedical, food, antimicrobials). However, they will also be capable of creating new businesses thanks to a combination of in depth training in entrepreneurship and direct experience of establishing and running a virtual company as part of the training network. Beyond the trained researchers, this project will produce technologies that will enhance the productivity of European industry, create intellectual property with a strong probability of commercialization and improve the health and well-being of European citizens by minimizing infection rates and the inappropriate use of ineffective biocides that is leading to resistance.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

UNIVERSIDAD DE OVIEDO · OVIEDOCoordinatorSpain
AARHUS UNIVERSITET · Aarhus CDenmark
AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS · MadridSpain
ASOCIACION CENTRO EUROPEO DE EMPRESAS E INNOVACION DEL PRINCIPADO DE ASTURIAS · LlaneraSpain
ASOCIACION DE INVESTIGACION DE INDUSTRIAS CARNICAS DEL PRINCIPADO DE ASTURIAS · NorenaSpain
Abbott Ireland · CootehillIreland
BIO-LOGIC SCIENCE INSTRUMENTS LTD · Macclesfield CheshireUnited Kingdom
DUBLIN CITY UNIVERSITY · DublinIreland
DUPONT NUTRITION BIOSCIENCES APS · Copenhagen KDenmark
INDUSTRIAS LÁCTEAS ASTURIANAS, S.A. · NaviaSpain
Labor Dr. Merk & Kollegen GmbH · OchsenhausenGermany
METROHM DROPSENS SL · OviedoSpain
PROCESS INSTRUMENTS (UK) LTD · BurnleyUnited Kingdom
THERADEP LIMITED · CorkIreland
UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI BARI ALDO MORO · BariItaly
UNIVERSITAET ULM · UlmGermany
UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK · COVENTRYUnited Kingdom

BREAK BIOFILMS · Breaking Bad Biofilms. Innovative Analysis and Design Rules for Next-Generation Antifouling Interfaces

Results in brief

Breaking Bad Biofilms. Innovative Analysis and Design Rules for Next-Generation Antifouling Interfaces

Project objective

Participants

Links