Functional Nanofibers Loaded with Antibiotics to Treat Serious Wounds

Researchers at Texas A&M University and Stevens Institute of Technology have been working on developing new materials that could aid clinicians in treating challenging wounds.

These polymeric coatings have nano-scale fibers that hold antibiotics and release their cargo when the environment of the wound meets a specific criteria. This makes the material “functional,” and able to react to changes happening in the wound.

“At Texas A&M we investigated how to build a stimuli-responsive polymeric material that could absorb and release antibiotics when prompted by a physiologically relevant stimuli,” said Victoria Albright, grad student and a researcher on the project.

The antibiotics are kept inside of micelles, which are tiny containers placed on the biodegradable fibers that coat the material’s surface. The researchers conducted experiments on their material, interfacing it with pathogenic bacteria, which it was able to destroy. Additionally, because of the intricate nano-scale structure of the fibers and micelles, the material seems to be a good host for promoting cellular growth and cellular movement. These factors point to quite an impressive bandage, but in-vivo studies will need to prove that out.