We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
INTEGRA BIOSCIENCES AG

Download Mobile App




Bifunctional Gold Nanoparticles Destroy Bacterial Pathogens with Antibiotic and Thermal Killing

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 12 Apr 2016
Print article
Image: This schematic illustration shows the working principle of the gold nanocage-based, photo-activated anti-bacterial drug delivery system (Photo courtesy of the University of Arkansas).
Image: This schematic illustration shows the working principle of the gold nanocage-based, photo-activated anti-bacterial drug delivery system (Photo courtesy of the University of Arkansas).
A team of bioengineers has designed a novel class of targeted bifunctional nanoparticles that attacks pathogenic bacteria with both antibiotic and photo-activated thermal killing strokes.

Investigators at the University of Arkansas (Fayetteville, USA) were searching for alternative methods to treat infections caused by the "ESKAPE" group of pathogens (Enterococcus faecium, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter species), which have developed antibiotic resistance and cause the majority of nosocomial infections.

Towards this end they developed a nanoparticle drug delivery system based on polydopamine-coated gold nanocages. These nanoparticles could be coated with an antibiotic and labeled with antibodies to guide them to specific bacterial targets. The gold particles could be induced to release the antibiotic while warming to a lethal temperature upon exposure to low levels of laser light.

The investigators used Staphylococcus aureus as a proof-of-principle ESKAPE pathogen to demonstrate that an appropriate antibiotic (daptomycin) could be incorporated into polydopamine-coated gold nanocages and that daptomycin-loaded gold nanocages could be conjugated to antibodies targeting a species-specific surface protein (staphylococcal protein A; Spa) as a means of achieving selective delivery of the nanoparticles directly to the bacterial cell surface.

They reported in the February 16, 2016, online edition of the journal ACS Infectious Diseases that targeting specificity was confirmed by demonstrating a lack of binding to mammalian cells, reduced photothermal and antibiotic killing of the Spa-negative species Staphylococcus epidermidis, and reduced killing of S. aureus in the presence of unconjugated anti-Spa antibodies. In addition, they demonstrated that laser irradiation at levels within the current safety standard for use in humans could be used to achieve both a lethal photothermal effect and controlled release of the antibiotic. The combination of antibiotic action and lethal heat eradicated all detectable S. aureus cells.

While the system was validated using free-floating bacterial cultures of both methicillin-sensitive and methicillin-resistant S. aureus strains, it was subsequently shown to be effective in the context of an established biofilm, thus indicating that this approach could be used to facilitate the effective treatment of intrinsically resistant biofilm infections.

“We believe that this approach could facilitate the effective treatment of infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including those associated with bacterial biofilms, which are involved in a wide variety of bacterial infections,” said senior author Dr. Jingyi Chen, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry at the University of Arkansas.

Related Links:

University of Arkansas


Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
One Step HbA1c Measuring System
GREENCARE A1c
POCT Fluorescent Immunoassay Analyzer
FIA Go
Gold Member
Xylazine Immunoassay Test
Xylazine ELISA

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: Reaching speeds up to 6,000 RPM, this centrifuge forms the basis for a new type of inexpensive, POC biomedical test (Photo courtesy of Duke University)

POC Biomedical Test Spins Water Droplet Using Sound Waves for Cancer Detection

Exosomes, tiny cellular bioparticles carrying a specific set of proteins, lipids, and genetic materials, play a crucial role in cell communication and hold promise for non-invasive diagnostics.... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The study showed the blood-based cancer screening test detects 83% of people with colorectal cancer with specificity of 90% (Photo courtesy of Guardant Health)

Blood Test Shows 83% Accuracy for Detecting Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is the second biggest cause of cancer deaths among adults in the U.S., with forecasts suggesting 53,010 people might die from it in 2024. While fewer older adults are dying from this... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The Gazelle Hb Variant Test (Photo courtesy of Hemex Health)

First Affordable and Rapid Test for Beta Thalassemia Demonstrates 99% Diagnostic Accuracy

Hemoglobin disorders rank as some of the most prevalent monogenic diseases globally. Among various hemoglobin disorders, beta thalassemia, a hereditary blood disorder, affects about 1.5% of the world's... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: The new platform is designed to perform blood-based diagnoses of nontuberculosis mycobacteria (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

New Blood Test Cuts Diagnosis Time for Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Infections from Months to Hours

Breathing in nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is a common experience for many people. These bacteria are present in water systems, soil, and dust all over the world and usually don't cause any problems.... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: These new assays are being developed for use on the recently introduced DxI 9000 Immunoassay Analyzer (Photo courtesy of Beckman Coulter)

Beckman Coulter and Fujirebio Expand Partnership on Neurodegenerative Disease Diagnostics

Beckman Coulter Diagnostics (Brea, CA, USA) and Fujirebio Diagnostics (Tokyo, Japan) have expanded their partnership focused on the development, manufacturing and clinical adoption of neurodegenerative... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.