Title of your proposed research project *
(in plain English) – up to 30 words
Nanostructured antibacterial coatings
| Proposed research question of problem * up to 100 words |
Orthopaedic implants are key medical devices widely utilized in medical practice to improve patient lives. Over the last decades this type of devices has experienced significant refinement from materials and design perspectives leading to substantially improved medical outcomes. Despite these advances, orthopaedic implants still become INFECTED. Infections are a very serious complication causing mortality and morbidity, and heavy financial burden to patients and the healthcare system. It is widely accepted that “Periprosthetic joint infection is the most challenging complication associated with total joint arthroplasty in the 21st century”. (Kurz et al The Journal of arthroplasty. 2012;27(8):61-5.)
Describe the aims of your research
up to 100 words
Thus, the overall goal of this project is to produce nanopillar surfaces on different materials, characterize their tribological and nanomechanical properties and link this knowledge to the capacity of the surfaces to kill bacteria. The project involves a range of activities including:
1) Fabrication of antibacterial surface via hydrothermal etching
2) Measurements of nanostructure tribological properties:
3) Measurements of nanostructure mechanical properties
4) Antibacterial testing
5) Create a mechanistic links between nanostructures tribological and mechanical properties and antibacterial efficacy
Describe the proposed methodology or plan of action
up to 100 words
The responsive antibacterial carriers will be generated using hydrothermal etching and further chemically modified using plasma polymerisation. The nanostructured material will be characterised with a range of advanced techniques such as X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, Atomic Force Microscopy; Scanning Electron Microscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy, Dynamic Light Scattering, Nanoindentation and others. Antibacterial efficiency will be examined against a range of pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus Aureus and Staphylococcus Epidermidis. Cytotoxicity will be assessed in a culture of a range of primary cells such as fibroblasts, osteoblasts and also immune and stem cells.
Explain the significance of your proposed research
up to 50 words
This research has the potential to provide a solution to the problem of bacterial infections associated with medical devices that affects millions of patients annually and costs billions of dollars in added hospital costs to the healthcare systems worldwide.
List 5 key references relevant to your proposed research
- Cavallaro, S. Taheri and K. Vasilev “Responsive and “smart” antibacterial surfaces: Common approaches and new developments” Biointerphases 9, 029005 (2014)
- Taheri, A. Cavallaro, S. N. Christo, L. Smith, P. Majewski, M. Barton, J. D. Hayball and K. Vasilev “Substrate independent silver nanoparticle based antibacterial coatings” Biomaterials 35 (16) 4601–4609 (2014)
- Cavallaro and K. Vasilev “Controlled and sustained release of pharmaceuticals via a single step solvent-free encapsulation” Chemical Communications 51 (10), 1838-1841 (2015)
- Vasilev, K.; Griesser, S. S.; Griesser, H. J., Antibacterial Surfaces and Coatings Produced by Plasma Techniques. Plasma Processes and Polymers 2011, 8 (11), 1010-1023.
- Vasilev, K.; Cook, J.; Griesser, H. J., Antibacterial surfaces for biomedical devices. Expert Review of Medical Devices 2009, 6 (5), 553-567.
Explain how your previous research/study equips you to undertake the proposed research
up to 250 words
I have studied my masters in material science and engineering and have background in research related to materials. My previous research was related to nanostructure and Nano chemistry. I have previously worked on fabrication and characterization using scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and measuring properties of nanostructures. The described research will be helpful for the benefit of mankind and i am sure that Given my past history of commitment with excellence, I am confident that I will bring a high level of energy and
enthusiasm to the research and university. I am sure to exceed your expectations, because of both my academic and interpersonal skills as well as the experience gained as a research assistant.