New insights into biofilm antibiotic resistance
Posted on 16 February 2021
Biofilms are a major source of recurring infections created through the buildup of microorganisms such as bacteria on a surface in the body, for example in the bladder or the urinary tract. These recurring infections are persistent and often very difficult to treat.
Through a joint effort between physicists and biologists at the University of York and clinicians at the York Teaching Hospital, researchers have developed a new technique to monitor biofilm formation and their responses to antibiotics.
Compared to existing and often destructive methods, this technique shows when a biofilm has been affected by an antibiotic giving greater insight into the antimicrobial resistance of biofilms. With further development, the technique will give clinicians a better tool for deciding which antibiotic to use to treat the infection.
Dr Yue Wang from the Department of Physics and the project’s principal investigator explains: “Our new method uses resonant hyperspectral imaging and is a real break-through. To my knowledge, it is the first time scientists have been able to remotely monitor the very early stages of e-coli cell attachment, microcolony, and biofilm formation, in situ and in real-time, without any expensive or complicated microscopic instruments. We hope it will soon provide a handheld tool for clinicians treating biofilm infections.”
The researchers are currently working with a major UK based multinational company to explore if the technique can also be applied in industry. If successful, monitoring biofilm formation inside process pipes in the manufacture of industrial liquids could save a significant amount of wastage and plant downtime.