Combined ultrasound-antibiotic treatment of biofilms

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Biofilms contribute to more than 65% of all bacterial infections in humans, play a significant role in harboring pathogens that cause nosocomial infections, and are extremely difficult to eradicate because they provide protection to microbial cells through a number of mechanisms. Furthermore, because of antimicrobial resistance (a phenomenon that most probably is enhanced by biofilms), new strategies to improve the efficacy of available antibiotics are critically needed. Ultrasound-microbubble (USMB) technology, a focus of our industrial partner, has been shown to improve drug-based treatments. Our research group has developed a number of experimental systems to study biofilm behavior in real time, including response to antibiotic treatment. The objective of the proposed collaboration is to evaluate the potential synergy between USMB and antibiotic treatment to eradicate biofilms, and to refine optimum levels of exposure for maximum effect.