IBM has developed a new biodegradable antimicrobial hydrogel in collaboration with The Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology.
Biocompatible, non-toxic remoldable synthetic antimicrobial hydrogel was developed to break diseased biofilms and eliminate drug-resistant bacteria.
The hydrogel containong over 90% of water can be applied on hospital surfaces and medical equipment or can be used as creams or injectable therapeutics to effectively treat patients.
IBM Research advanced organic materials scientist James Hedrick said the technology is a new way of fighting drug-resistant biofilms.
"This new technology is appearing at a crucial time as traditional chemical and biological techniques for dealing with drug-resistant bacteria and infectious diseases are increasingly problematic," Hedrick added.
Polymers were tailored to design macromolecules with water solubility, positive charge and biodegradability.
The polymers assemble and swell through self-associative interactions forming a synthetic gel, when mixed with water and heated to body temperature.
As a result, the zipper effect is created due to which short segments on the new polymers are get interlocked and solidify the water-based solution into re-moldable hydrogel.
Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology group leader Dr Yi-Yan Yang said, "Using the inexpensive and versatile polymer materials that we have developed jointly with IBM, we can now launch a nimble, multi-pronged attack on drug-resistant biofilms which would help to improve medical and health outcomes."
