Sep 14, 2023

Nanotech hopes to combat antibiotic-resistant superbugs

publicpreview
Professor Sumeet Walia (right) holding a vial of black phosphorus suspended in liquid with fellow researchers. [Source: Seamus Daniel/ RMIT University]

Key points:

  • Antibiotic resistance is a major global health threat, causing about 700,000 deaths annually and could rise to 10 million deaths a year by 2050 without the development of new antibacterial therapies
  • The new study led by RMIT University and the University of South Australia (UniSA) shows black phosphorus-based nanotechnology effectively treats infections by killing over 99% of bacteria without damaging other cells in biological models
  • Black phosphorus is the most stable form of phosphorus – a mineral that is naturally present in many foods – and, in an ultra-thin form, degrades easily with oxygen, making it ideal for killing microbes

Researchers hope their new nano-thin technology will be integrated into wound dressings and implants to heal antibiotic-resistant superbugs like ‘golden staph’. 

Advanced preclinical trials have suggested the black phosphorus-based nanotechnology material is effective against a broad range of drug-resistant bacterial cells that have previously been resistant to antibiotics. The new study tested the effectiveness of nano-thin flakes of black phosphorus against five common bacteria strains, including E. coli and drug-resistant golden staph.

Researchers tested the nanotechnology as an advanced infection treatment and wound healing therapeutic which achieved comparable results to an antibiotic in eliminating infection and accelerated healing. It provided rapid antimicrobial action, then self-decomposed after the infection cleared.

Wounds were found to close by 80% over seven days.

publicpreview (1)
Gel can be integrated with the black phosphorus treatment to make a wound dressing. [Source: Seamus Daniel/ RMIT University]

A previous study led by RMIT revealed that black phosphorus was effective at killing microbes when spread in nano-thin layers on surfaces used to make wound dressings and implants such as cotton and titanium, or integrated into plastics used in medical instruments.

Lead researcher from UniSA, Doctor Zlatko Kopecki, and his team performed the pre-clinical trials to show how daily topical application of the black phosphorus nanoflakes significantly reduced infection at a time when antibiotic treatments are becoming scarce across the world.

“We urgently need to develop new alternative non-antibiotic approaches to treat and manage wound infection,” he said.

RMIT co-lead researcher, Professor Sumeet Walia, said the study showed how their innovation could be integrated into different forms of treatment and medicine to help combat these types of superbugs. 

“The beauty of our innovation is that it is not simply a coating – it can actually be integrated into common materials that devices are made of, as well as plastic and gels, to make them antimicrobial,” he said. 

“As the nanomaterial breaks down, its surface reacts with the atmosphere to produce what are called reactive oxygen species. These species ultimately help by ripping bacterial cells apart,” Walia said.

The research team are now looking to collaborate with industry partners to develop and prototype the technology for commercial use.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Long-term antibiotic use potentially linked to higher cancer risk

Most people have had antibiotics at some point in their life – whether it be to help combat a virus or an infection. But some people have conditions that require them to take long courses of antibiotics. And new research has found that long term antibiotic use may increase the risk of having certain types... Read More

Underpaid staff, malnutrition, neglect: This week at the Aged Care Royal Commission

Warning: Graphic content. Key points to emerge this week at the Aged Care Royal Commission: Aged care staff unpaid by 15 per cent. Australia’s population is ageing, and the number of people living with dementia is rising. Reported cases of abuse in aged care facility are “tip of the iceberg”. People dying while waiting for... Read More

Commissioner lays groundwork for new era in aged care

With the government’s new one-stop shop for aged care opening its doors on 1 January this year, its new commissioner, Janet Anderson, spoke to HelloCare about her priorities in the new role. The head of the new Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission said aged care consumers are at the front of her mind. “Our... Read More
Advertisement