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Nanosilicon in the fight against infections

08.07.2012

Scientists at Brown University have found that a coating of silicon nanoparticles can effectively combat the spread of staphylococcus bacteria. This discovery will allow the creation of low-cost coatings for medical equipment, implants, hospital equipment and household appliances. This is essential to fight infections - especially antibiotic-resistant superstrains of bacteria that often even cause hospitals to be demolished.

Silicon is an inexpensive common substance that is present in our body. It has long been known that it is able to fight bacteria, but so far it has not been possible to create a silicon coating.

Scientists at Brown University have used silicon nanoparticles for the first time to coat a polycarbonate catheter and endotracheal tube. As a result, the number of staphylococcus bacteria on these medical supplies has been reduced by 90%.

The main task in creating an antibacterial coating is to prevent the formation of a biofilm that unites a colony of bacteria and makes it very resistant to environmental influences. The silicon coating prevents biofilm formation and makes it easier for the patient's immune system to clean the implant. At the same time, silicon is much cheaper than silver and does not harm human immunity.

Scientists have grown silicon nanoparticles of two different sizes and made four types of coating with different concentrations of both types of particles. All types of coatings have proven effective and reduced the number of staph in 24, 48 and 72 hours. The coating with the smallest particles had the most powerful effect: after a day, the number of bacteria was reduced by 90%. In the near future, scientists plan to start testing implants with a new coating on animals.

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