Dispersal of Clinical Biofilms from Titanium and Cobalt Chrome Surfaces Using a Novel Marine Nuclease

Project Dates: December 2014 - November 2016
Project Leader: Professor Grant Burgess
Staff: Dr Nick Jakubovics, Mr Mike Reed
Sponsors: Orthopaedic Research UK

The project aims to investigate the effect of a novel marine deoxyribonuclease (Nuc B) on biofilms from infected joint replacement prostheses through: demonstrating the effectiveness of Nuc B on Staphylococcus aureus / Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilm formation and biofilm dispersal; demonstrating the synergistic effect of Nuc B and antibiotics (commonly used to treat prosthetic joint infections) on established Staphylococcus aureus / Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilms; and demonstrating increased antibiotic activity against bacteria within biofilms and in the planktonic phase in the presence of Nuc B.