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pH-responsive biocompatible antimicrobial implant coating (chemistry, material science)
This project will focus on preparation and fine-tuning of a “smart” pH-responsive antimicrobial implant coating for stabilization of open fractures. Chemistry knowledge is required.
Keywords: Implants, infection, coating, antimicrobial, polymers, fracture stabilization, 3D printing
Open factures are factures in which the broken bone penetrates through the skin. These types of fractures not only happen in humans, but are also very frequent in pets, specifically in cats hit by cars. While the immediate care in humans helps to prevent infections of the open wounds, cats will often attempt to get back to their owners and by that cause wounds to become contaminated by soil and dirt. As a consequence, microbial infections of open factures have a relatively high prevalence in cats and pose a major complication. Therefore, antimicrobial coatings of fracture stabilization implants, e.g. plates, could help improving the clinical outcome. However, as not all open fractures will become infected, release of antimicrobial substances would ideally occur only in case of arising infection. Importantly, wounds with bacterial contamination undergo local pH changes due to the microbial activities, hence posing a potential trigger for drug release.
This interdisciplinary research project is ideal for a MSc student with background knowledge/experience in polymer chemistry and interest in its application in healthcare. It will be conducted in collaboration with the Animal Hospital Zurich.
Open factures are factures in which the broken bone penetrates through the skin. These types of fractures not only happen in humans, but are also very frequent in pets, specifically in cats hit by cars. While the immediate care in humans helps to prevent infections of the open wounds, cats will often attempt to get back to their owners and by that cause wounds to become contaminated by soil and dirt. As a consequence, microbial infections of open factures have a relatively high prevalence in cats and pose a major complication. Therefore, antimicrobial coatings of fracture stabilization implants, e.g. plates, could help improving the clinical outcome. However, as not all open fractures will become infected, release of antimicrobial substances would ideally occur only in case of arising infection. Importantly, wounds with bacterial contamination undergo local pH changes due to the microbial activities, hence posing a potential trigger for drug release.
This interdisciplinary research project is ideal for a MSc student with background knowledge/experience in polymer chemistry and interest in its application in healthcare. It will be conducted in collaboration with the Animal Hospital Zurich.
The goal of this project is to create a pH-responsive antimicrobial coating. It is anticipated that two types of coating will be combined: On the one hand, a coating that dissolves upon implantation and provides a basal protection from infection, through the release of antimicrobial nanoparticles (e.g. Ag nanoparticles). On the other hand, a smart coating that senses pH changes and releases an antibiotic drug solely in case of infection. After the identification of possible approaches, first proof of principle experiments shall be conducted on miniaturized, 3D printed fixation plates.
The goal of this project is to create a pH-responsive antimicrobial coating. It is anticipated that two types of coating will be combined: On the one hand, a coating that dissolves upon implantation and provides a basal protection from infection, through the release of antimicrobial nanoparticles (e.g. Ag nanoparticles). On the other hand, a smart coating that senses pH changes and releases an antibiotic drug solely in case of infection. After the identification of possible approaches, first proof of principle experiments shall be conducted on miniaturized, 3D printed fixation plates.
Karin Wuertz-Kozak, kwuertz@ethz.ch / Institute for Biomechanics, HPP-O12, ETH Zürich / Professorship Karin Wuertz-Kozak
Karin Wuertz-Kozak, kwuertz@ethz.ch / Institute for Biomechanics, HPP-O12, ETH Zürich / Professorship Karin Wuertz-Kozak
Each year the IDEA League offers the students of its partner universities over 180 monthly grants for a short-term research exchange. In general, these grants are awarded based on academic merit. For more information visit http://idealeague.org/student-grant/