Developing a multi-species biofilm model for testing novel antimicrobials

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With an increase in the number of pathogenic bacteria developing resistance to multiple antibiotics, alternative technologies are needed to address this problem. Bacteria also commonly form biofilms, a mode of growth where cells aggregate and become embedded in a protective extracellular matrix, making them even more difficult to treat. It is estimated that up to 40% of human diseases are biofilm-related. SterileCare Inc., a young Canadian biotechnology company, has developed an innovative non-antibiotic antimicrobial agent that is effective against hard to treat bacteria such as MRSA, VRE and Pseudomonas. Clinically relevant conditions of biofilm reveal the presence of a complex mixture of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi within these biofilms, conferring important survival information to each other. Sterile Care Inc. would like to establish a research partnership with Dr. White and VIDO-InterVac to develop a multi-species biofilm model that more closely represents in vivo conditions. We will use this biofilm model to document the synergistic effects between microorganisms and challenge with the antimicrobial agent at different concentrations and in combination with other antimicrobials. In line with global Antibiotic Stewardship efforts and active search for an effective alternative to antibiotics, SterileCare Inc. hopes to further develop a powerful agent to treat both human and veterinary conditions associated with biofilms and multidrug resistant microorganisms.