Targeting Bacterial Biofilms to Overcome Antibiotic Resistance

New advanced nanomaterials to combat antibiotic resistance: The BactEradiX project is working to develop a modular nanoplatform capable of targeting bacterial biofilms, aggregations of microorganisms that promote resistance to the immune system and antibiotics.

Funded with €3 million, BactEradiX (Grant Agreement 101186900) is an EIC Pathfinder project supported by the European Innovation Council (EIC), the EU body that supports the conception and development of highly innovative technologies.

"Antibiotic resistance is a serious threat to global health: it affects millions of people worldwide and jeopardises medical progress," explains Paolo Blasi, Professor at the Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology at the University of Bologna, who is coordinating the project. “With its innovative approach, BactEradiX aims to provide a new tool in the fight against antimicrobial resistance and chronic infections".

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has identified antibiotic resistance as one of the top ten threats to public health worldwide. In this context, bacterial biofilms are one of the most dangerous enemies to fight. Biofilms are organised aggregates of bacteria that live together in a self-produced extracellular matrix. These structures can be very problematic because they reduce the effectiveness of therapies and the ability of the immune system to respond. The rise of drug-resistant bacteria also makes biofilm-related infections increasingly difficult to eliminate.

The BactEradiX project aims to develop an innovative technological solution that can provide a rapid response to emerging bacterial threats and antibiotic-resistant strains. The modular antimicrobial nanoplatform that the scientists will develop will be able to target the extracellular matrix of bacterial biofilms, disrupting the structure that allows pathogens to resist therapeutic intervention.

"Bacterial biofilms are one of the main reasons for the failure of many therapeutic approaches and promote the development of drug resistance, making it increasingly difficult to overcome infections," confirms Blasi. "The technology developed by BactEradiX will enable a rapid response to these threats, reducing healthcare costs associated with infectious diseases and facilitating the development of new effective and safe antibiotics.