Use of Gene Therapy to Prevent Bacterial Infections of Biomaterials

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9870952 Bryers The objective of this research is to determine the potential to block bacterial colonization of a biomaterial by biologically interfering with the bacterial adhesion process. In a radical approach, the investigator proposes to deliver from the biomaterial itself, plasmid genes that upon incorporation into both arriving macrophage and fibroblast cells, will express a heterologous polypeptide that blocks bacterial biofilm formation. The research plan has three major goals: (1) the construction of plasmids containing the gene for a antibacterial adhesion peptide, (2) the quanification of plasmid gene transfer in cells via in vitro culture, and (3) the measurement of gene products and their ability to inhibit bacterial film formation. The deterrence of biofilm formation on materials has important uses in a variety of applications. These include food processing and handling equipment, heat exchange devices for use in power and food industries, and biomedical instruments and devices. ***