Development of biomaterials for antibiotic delivery

Antibiotic-resistant infections are a growing global concern, particularly in chronic wounds where traditional treatments often fail to maintain effective drug levels. This project aims to develop hydrogel-based materials capable of delivering antibiotics directly to infected tissues in a controlled and sustained way.

Hydrogels are soft, water-rich polymer networks that can mimic the structure of living tissues. Their high porosity and tunable properties make them ideal platforms for localized drug delivery. In this study, the intern will design and characterize alginate-based or hybrid polymer hydrogels that can encapsulate poorly water-soluble antibiotics.

The main objectives are to fabricate hydrogel scaffolds with adjustable porosity for optimized drug loading, to assess their mechanical and physicochemical properties for wound applications, and to evaluate antibiotic release and antibacterial efficacy against pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus.

This research will contribute to developing next-generation wound-care materials that promote healing while reducing systemic side effects and antibiotic resistance. By combining materials science and microbiology, the project supports the broader mission of the Coombes Lab at McMaster University to advance innovative biomaterial strategies for infection control and tissue repair.

Faculty Supervisor:

Brian Coombes

Student:

Partner:

Université Grenoble Alpes

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Education

University:

McMaster University

Program: