Biomimetic Molecularly Imprinted Polymers: A New Quorum Sensing Capturing Agent to Prevent Bacterial Biofilm Formation

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative pathogen that is frequently related to nosocomial infections. The bacterial biofilm controlled by quorum sensing system allows P. aeruginosa to adhere to any surface and protect it from antibacterial treatments, such as antibiotics and heat treatment. The novel invention strategy developed in this project is to inhibit P. aeruginosa biofilm formation by developing molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) to capture quorum sensing signal molecules (i.e, N-3-oxo-dodecanoyl-L-Homoserine lactone (C12-AHL)). MIPs are synthesized by bulk- and precipitation-polymerization with the presence of C12-AHL as template. The adsorption capacity of MIPs and the corresponding blank polymer toward C12-AHL will be tested. Biofilm formation in the presence and absence of MIPs will be studied using scanning confocal laser microscopy and crystal violet staining assay. Our developed MIPs is expected to show better binding capacity towards signal molecules and effectively inhibit biofilm formation compared to the control group.

Faculty Supervisor:

Xiaonan Lu

Student:

Luyao Ma

Partner:

Discipline:

Food science

Sector:

University:

University of British Columbia

Program:

Globalink