New anti-microbial composition effective against MRSA
Recent advances in the field of nanotechnology have enabled scientists to customise the properties of nanomaterials such that they can be employed as effective anti-microbial agents.
The Oxford lab of Isis Innovation has used functionalised nanomaterials to enhance the antibiotic activity of an otherwise unstable agent against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria, antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains (such as MRSA), as well as fungi, indeed all classes of microorganisms tested in the Oxford laboratory to date.
The novel material represents a platform approach that can be applied as a liquid, gel, cream or surface coating, and can also be embedded in polymer matrices for the effective use as a biocide for highly touchable surfaces (e.g. door handles, light switches, coating for hospital surfaces, etc) among many other antimicrobial applications.
Advantages include: Enhanced activity and reactivity of the compound compared to competitive products, good stability and comparatively low cost of production.
The invention is the subject of a patent application in the UK and Isis looking to license the product. www.isis-innovation.com