New nanoparticle platform breaks through MRSA biofilms

New nanoparticle platform breaks through MRSA biofilms

The super-bacteria methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major cause of hospital-acquired infections, not only showing strong resistance to existing antibiotics but also forming a dense biofilm that blocks the effects of external treatments. To address this challenge, Kaist researchers, in collaboration with an international team, successfully developed a platform that uses microbubbles to deliver gene-targeted nanoparticles capable of degrading the biofilms, providing an innovative solution to treat infections resistant to conventional antibiotics.

Kaist (represented by President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced on May 29 that a research team led by Professor Hyun Jung Chung of the Department of Biological Sciences, in collaboration with Professor Hyunjoon Kong's team at the University of Illinois, has built a microbubble nano-gene-tasking platform that works with Bitn-By-By-By-By-By-By-By-By-By-By-By-By-By-By-By-By-By-By-By-By-By-By-By-By-By-By-By-By-By-By-By-By-By-By-By-By-By-By-By-Gene a microbubble-based nano-genes-stay bacteria-bacteria-bacteria-bacteria. MRSA.

The research team designed for the first time short DNA oligonucleotides that simultaneously suppress three major MRSA genes related to biofilm formation (ICAA), cell division (FTSZ) and antibiotic resistance (MECA) - and nanoparticles (BTN) to effectively deliver them into the bacteria.

Additionally, microbubbles (MB) were used to increase the permeability of the microbial membrane, particularly the biofilm formed by MRSA. By combining these two technologies, the team implemented a dual strategy that fundamentally blocks bacterial growth and prevents resistance acquisition.

This treatment system works in two phases. First, the MBS induce pressure changes within the bacterial biofilm, allowing the BTNs to penetrate. Then the BTNs slip through the gaps in the biofilm and enter the bacteria, precisely delivering the gene suppressors. This leads to gene regulation within MRSA while blocking biofilm regeneration, cell proliferation and expression of antibiotic resistance.

In experiments conducted in a porcine skin model and a mouse wound model infected with MRSA biofilm, the BTN-MB treatment group showed a significant reduction in biofilm thickness as well as a notable decrease in bacterial counts and inflammatory responses.

These results are difficult to achieve with conventional antibiotic monotherapy and demonstrate the potential for treating a wide range of resistant bacterial infections.

Professor Hyun Jung Chung of Kaist, who led the research, explained: “This study presents a new therapeutic solution that combines nanotechnology, gene silencing, and physical delivery strategies to address superbug infections that existing antibiotics cannot resolve. We will continue our research to expand its application to systemic infections and various other infectious diseases. “

The study was co-led by Ju Yeon Chung, a graduate student in Kaist's Department of Biological Sciences, and Dr. Yujin Ahn from the University of Illinois wrote. The study was published online May 19 in the journal Advanced Functional Materials.

This study was supported by the National Research Foundation and the Ministry of Health and Welfare of the Republic of Korea. and the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health, USA.

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