Innovative polymers in the service of patient health
In Western countries, hospital-acquired infections affect one in twenty patients during their hospital stay. Conventional antibiotics are losing their effectiveness against the growing resistance of many bacterial strains. This significant challenge also arises with medical implants, such as cardiovascular stents, heart valves, and dental and orthopaedic implants. Although essential for patient health, they are increasingly becoming a source of such infections.
It is in this context that <a href=”https://www.carnot-mica.fr/le-carnot-mica/”>Carnot MICA</a> funded the “ATHENA” resourcing project. The aim of the research teams at the <a href=”https://www.ics-cnrs.unistra.fr/”>Institut Charles Sadron</a> (CNRS) and the “<a href=”https://www.biomaterials-bioengineering.com/”>Biomaterials and Bioengineering</a>” laboratory (Inserm Unit 1121 / University of Strasbourg) is to develop polymer-based coatings to prevent microbial infections directly at implantation sites.
Design of thermoresponsive cationic polymers for targeted antimicrobial action
Currently, researchers are exploring various strategies: some aim to limit bacterial adhesion, while others seek to deliver antimicrobial agents or eliminate microbes through simple contact with a functionalised surface. Among the different ways of combating bacteria, the researchers chose a promising method consisting of disrupting the membrane surrounding these bacteria. To achieve this, they use cationic polymers or antimicrobial agents. The scientific teams developed a comb polymer with a side chain made up of oligoarginines (small chains of molecules called ‘arginines’ that are recognised for enhancing antimicrobial activity). This comb design aims to specifically increase the concentration of arginine at bacterial membranes in order to maximise their antimicrobial activity. Furthermore, the developed polymers proved to be thermoresponsive in water, meaning they can reversibly change state depending on temperature. Their reversible phase transition from insoluble to soluble according to temperature is associated with the self-assembly of arginine residues. It is therefore conceivable to regulate the activity of these molecules by effectively rendering them “inactive” when stored at low temperatures.
The ATHENA project also brought significant advances in optimising the synthesis of macromonomers, reducing the time and quantity of reagents required while refining the purification method of the resulting polymers.
The leverage effect of <a href=”https://www.carnot-mica.fr/le-carnot-mica/”>Carnot MICA</a> is real, as the results obtained during this project have paved the way for securing funding through various local and national calls for projects. These funds will be dedicated to exploring new research avenues. These polymers will be examined to assess their capacity to encapsulate active ingredients, both in solution and as multilayer films, thus opening up prospects in areas such as chronic wound treatment.