Unravelling the effect of metal ions leaching from bioactive glasses on wound associated biofilms

Chronic wounds are characterised by a stable and stubborn biofilm which hinders innate immune response and delays or prevents wound healing. Due to the rise in antibiotic resistant bacteria it is imperative that novel treatment strategies, that do not rely on antibiotic action, are sought. This project will investigate the potential and mechanism via which metal ion leaching from 3D fibrous bioactive glass (BG) disrupts pathogenic biofilms and aids in the healing of chronic wounds. This will be done by conducting in vitro and in vivo studies and tissue-material interactions on BGs and BG-nanofibres. Specifically, antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties of the BGs will be tested on clinically relevant bacteria. Additionally, cytotoxic effects of the BGs on epithelial cells will be tested to ensure that the BGs may be safe to use and finally, the wound-healing properties of the BGs will be investigated by testing the BGs in murine mouse models and ex vivo human wounds. Complementary to the above, a partial differential equation mathematical model will be developed. This model will aim to capture the ion release rate, antimicrobial effects and in vivo healing of rodent wounds and ex vivo human wounds, where the model parameters will be estimated from experimental data. This mathematical model will facilitate an improved understanding of the complex and nonlinear interactions involved in wound healing and the clearance of microbial biofilms, whilst also generating a tool that can be exploited to predict optimum composition of BGs for effective wound healing with respect to ion release rates and antibacterial activity.