Scientists discover a materials maze that prevents bacterial infections

Image of bacteria on a microscopic "maze".

Scientists at the University of Nottingham have discovered microscopic surface patterns that can drastically reduce bacteria’s ability to multiply on plastics, potentially preventing infections on medical devices such as catheters.

The findings of the study show that when bacterial cells encounter patterned grooves on a surface, they lose their ability to form biofilms (surface associated slime-cities which help protect the bacteria from the body’s natural defences against infection). This in turn means the infection is effectively prevented before it can become fully established and would also positively activate the immune system to get rid of any individual bacteria that were there.

The study was led by Professor Paul Williams (School of Life Sciences), Professor Morgan Alexander (School of Pharmacy), and colleagues in the School of Computer Science, together with Professor Jan DeBoer in the Netherlands. It was funded by the ESPRC and the Wellcome Trust, and was published in Nature Communications back in June.

Please visit the UoN press release for additional information.