Antibacterial drugs and materials

2023

Russian scientists have discovered unusual antibacterial properties of titanium trisulfide nanoparticles

Scientists of Tambov State University named after G.R. Derzhavin and the National Research Technological University "MISIS" synthesized experimental samples of nanolens of titanium trisulfide and investigated their antibacterial properties on E. coli. According to scientists, the results of research will allow in the future to develop new drugs and materials with antibacterial properties for wide use, including in the field of medicine, veterinary medicine, crop production, in the production of antiseptic coatings, and so on. Such information was shared with Zdrav.Expert on July 4, 2023 by MISIS representatives.

Russian scientists synthesized experimental samples of nanolens of titanium trisulfide and investigated their antibacterial properties

The discovery of antibiotics in the 20th century made a decisive contribution to the fight against pathogenic infections, but over time, microbes learned to adapt to their action. Researchers predict that in the coming decades, people will die from antibiotic-resistant infections more often than from cancer. Therefore, the development of new antibacterial drugs and materials comes to the fore.

One of the promising candidates for the creation of such drugs, according to scientists, may be titanium trisulfide, which has nonlinear optical and semiconductor properties, a representative of a group of two-dimensional or 2D materials that forms flexible transparent nanometer-thick tapes.

"At the request of colleagues from Derzhavin University, we synthesized trisulfide nanoparticles by combining pure titanium powder and elemental sulfur and placing this mixture in sealed quartz ampoules. The synthesis was carried out in a tubular furnace at a temperature of 450 to 500 ° C. The material we obtained grows in the form of long and very thin - less than 100 nm - tapes, which we studied using SEM, RFA and Raman spectroscopy in order to obtain information on the physicochemical properties of the tapes, "said Dmitry Muratov, senior researcher at the Department of Functional Nanosystems and High-Temperature Materials, NUST MISIS, Ph.D.

According to the authors, such a material can become both a component of new antibiotics and the basis of various films and coatings with antibacterial properties.

As studies have shown, the antibacterial activity of nanolens is atypical for most known antibiotics and strongly depends on the chemical composition of the surrounding liquid and the shelf life of the solution, said Olga Zakharova, director of the Research Institute of Ecology and Biotechnology at Derzhavinsky University.

"In addition, two peaks of toxicity (antimicrobial action) are observed for the new material - the largest at the minimum (0.0001 g/L) and maximum (1 g/L) concentrations of titanium trisulfide; at an intermediate concentration of 0.01 g/L, a decrease in toxicity was observed. The first of these peaks lies in the concentration range tens and hundreds of times lower than for traditional antimicrobials, "added Olga Zakharova.

To explain this unusual effect, the scientists hypothesized that water-dissolved hydrogen sulfide molecules produced by sulfur emissions from the surface of 2D material could both protect and inhibit bacterial cells depending on concentration. In an average concentration, where toxicity "disappears," probably the protective effect of hydrogen sulfide manifests itself as much as possible.

Titanium trisulfide nanofilaments can become a component of new antibiotics. However, scientists will need to conduct a number of more studies

"Under certain conditions, the new material turned out to be 3.5 times more effective than the standard chlorine-containing antibacterial agent - bleach. This opens up prospects for the development of new antibiotics and antibacterial coatings based on titanium nanolenettrisulfide, "said the director of the Research Institute of Ecology and Biotechnology at Derzhavinsky University.

However, scientists will need to conduct a number of more studies - in particular, according to Olga Zakharova, they need to learn how to stabilize nanofilaments in suspensions, assess their antimicrobial activity in relation to various pathogens, and assess safety for humans and animals.

The work will be carried out on strategic projects of the Derzhavinsky University "New Chemical Materials and Technologies" and "Innovative Solutions in the Agro-Industrial Complex and Environmental Management" of the federal program of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia "Priority 2030," which is one of the measures of state support for universities of the national project "Science and Universities."

The results of the study were published in the journal Molecular Sciences.

Scientists have proposed a filler with improved antibacterial properties for polymeric bone "3D-scaffolds"

An international team of scientists with the participation of researchers at NUST MISIS has proposed an alternative filler of bone "3D-scaffolds" based on calcium silicate. The material prevents the formation of a biofilm of bacteria on the surface of the framework and in the future can be used for implants of low-load bones, for example, a skull. The study was supported by an RSF grant. The results of the work are published in the scientific journal Polymer. This was announced on January 25, 2023 by representatives of NUST MISIS. Read more here.

2022

Scientists have created antibacterial nano coatings based on boron nitride and ultra-dispersed metallized silver

Materials scientists of the University "MISIS" have created antibacterial nano-coatings against microbial and fungal pathogens that do not have characteristic negative side effects and can become a safe alternative to antibiotics for use in traumatology, surgery and implantology. Material based on boron nitride and ultrafine metallized silver or iron oxide nanoparticles has efficiency up to 99.99%. As of August 2022, the obtained samples are tested as coatings for implants. This was announced on August 9, 2022 by representatives of the MISIS University. Read more here.

Scientists create material from tropical plants with antibacterial and anti-cancer properties

On February 17, 2022, it became known that scientists at NUST MISIS as part of an international team synthesized material with antibacterial and anti-cancer properties. According to the authors, it has prospects for use in biomedicine. Read more here.

2021

Antibacterial coating based on titanium oxide modified with calcium, phosphorus, silicon and boron

On December 7, 2021, NUST MISIS reported that its scientists had developed an antibacterial coating for implants to prevent their rejection and the development of infection under the influence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The developed material has high biocompatibility and can find wide application, including in implantology and craniofacial surgery. Read more here.

Multilayer antibacterial coatings based on titanium oxide and antiseptic components are presented

Young scientists of NUST "MISIS" presented multilayer antibacterial coatings with a prolonged effect and a universal spectrum of action. The coating is based on modified titanium oxide and several antiseptic components. Coatings can be used in implantology as a protective layer for the prevention of concomitant complications - inflammation or rejection of implants. The university announced this on April 16, 2021. Read more here.

2020: Materials scientists "MISiS" presented antibacterial nano-coatings based on boron nitride

On September 9, 2020, it became known that materials scientists at NUST MISIS presented antibacterial nano-coatings based on boron nitride, which are effective against microbial pathogens - up to 99.99%. They can become a safe alternative to the usual antibiotics in implantology, since they do not have characteristic negative side effects. Read more here.