Menu
MapConnectionsTopicsBulgariaThe Night (K-TRIO)Marie Skłodowska-CurieFor studentsFor teachersMethodologySurprise me
H2020Doctoral network2020–2025

STIMULUS · Stimuli Responsive Materials for the Rapid Detection and Treatment of Healthcare Associated Infections

Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2020-10-01 → 2025-03-31
EU contribution
€3,956,399
Participants
9
Scheme
MSCA-ITN

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.

Results in brief

Stimuli Responsive Materials for the Rapid Detection and Treatment of Healthcare Associated Infections

Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) are bacterial infections obtained from clinical treatment, e.g., following medical intervention. HAIs are a problem of tremendous proportions, as more than 4 million EC citizens get infected annually. The ECDC estimates ~150,000 HAI-related deaths in Europe each year, mainly stemming from wound infections. These alarming facts motivate the urgent need to develop novel medical devices, particularly wound dressings, which rapidly signal and prevent or eradicate invasive bacterial colonization following a stimulus. Current antimicrobial coatings rely on slow, passive diffusion of antimicrobials. Hence, the antimicrobial may not be sufficiently concentrated to eradicate the infection or delivered when there is no need; such low-concentration zones or unnecessary antibiotic treatments promote the evolution of resistance. In response, STIMULUS has successfully delivered a new class of theranostic wound dressings—multifunctional materials that combine early detection of infection with immediate, localized treatment. These dressings represent a breakthrough in infection management by autonomously responding to infection-specific triggers, such as bacterial enzymes or pH shifts, without requiring the wound to be opened or systemic antibiotics to be used. A defining achievement of the project was the integration of alternative antimicrobial strategies into these materials. For example, STIMULUS showed that responsive systems that could release reactive oxygen species (ROS) upon exposure to light or specific microbial signals, as well as antimicrobial peptides, powerful molecules modeled on the body's natural defenses, incorporated into hydrogels, could be used for antimicrobial therapy on demand without risking antibiotic resistance. STIMULUS also advanced infection models and testing systems that better mimic clinical conditions, ensuring more predictive evaluation of wound dressings with reduced animal testing. The completion of STIMULUS marks a substantial step forward in creating effective, targeted, and sustainable solutions for wound care, addressing both the medical and societal challenges of antimicrobial resistance and healthcare-associated infections.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs) are bacterial infections obtained as a result of clinical treatment e.g. following medical intervention. HAIs are a problem of tremendous proportion as more than 4 million EC citizens get infected annually. The ECDC estimates 147,000 HAI-related deaths in Europe each year, a large part stemming from wound infections. These alarming facts motivate the urgent need to develop novel medical devices, in particular wound dressings, which rapidly signal and prevent or eradicate invasive bacterial colonization following a stimulus. Current antimicrobial coatings rely on slow, passive diffusion of antimicrobials, hence the antimicrobial may not be sufficiently concentrated to eradicate the infection; such low concentration zones promote evolution of resistance. To tackle these challenges in healthcare in light of an increasingly aging population and unprecedented antibiotic resistance levels, there is an urgent need for dedicated research leaders in industry and academia. These scientists of the future still will need primary training in, e.g., chemistry or microbiology, but they will have to operate at the interface between disciplines. Future materials chemists will need to perform microbiology experiments and to appreciate the engineering required to translate a lab invention to a production prototype. They have to understand the societal, business and regulatory environment around new medical device development. The research focus of STIMULUS is on wound infections. The objectives are: 1) Diagnostic: To create materials that clearly and rapidly signal when infection is present; 2) Therapeutic: triggered release of antimicrobials to treat the infection; 3) Translational and theranostic: integration of responsive materials into prototype wound dressings. Integrated with this research, we will create a lasting and comprehensive training programme for ESRs, making them suitable for leading research on theranostic medical devices.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union