Some of the new research that Qinghuang Lin is proposing to embark on are biocompatible packaging materials and transport of biopolymers through nanoporous media. The research I present may have synergism. Human pathogenic bacteria and fungi often populate environments where nutrient rich fluid is present in the static and flow state. Invasive bacterial and fungal infections were observed among US military personnel with combat-related injuries in the past decades. These infections develop after a traumatic blast-related penetrating injury and, for treatment, are shielded with dermal or ocular bandages coupled with antimicrobial agents. During treatment, bacteria and fungi can develop resistance against antibiotics and antifungals causing further infections. In this research, we culture antimicrobial resistant bacteria, P. aeruginosa, and clinical isolates of fungi, A. fumigatus and F. oxysporum, in vitro, on flat and engineered nanotextured surfaces on materials used in medical devices such as bandage contact lenses. Nanotextured surfaces of pillar arrays with varying periodicities were fabricated using nanoimprint lithography. Both static and fluid flow environments for drug resistant microbes were replicated using culture dishes and microfluidic channels respectively. In static environments, a decrease in P. aeruginosa, A. fumigatus, and F. oxysporum cell growth and an increase in cell death were observed on the nanotextured surfaces compared the flat. In fluid flow environments where P. aeruginosa upstream cell motility and infectious biofilm formation occur, a decrease in cell motility and attachment were observed on the nanotextured surfaces compared to flat. These antimicrobial properties of the nanotextured surfaces present a promising coating for dermal and ocular wound bandages against resistant bacterial and fungal infections.

Investigating antimicrobial properties of nanotextured surfaces for wound bandages against resistant infections

256th National Meeting (2018)

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