IBM Research Announces Hydrogel That Annihilates Drug-Resistant Bacteria on Contact

Posted on January 26, 2013

IBM Research and Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBM) in Singapore recently announced that they have developed an antimicrobrial hydrogel that can break through biofilms and destroy drug-resistant bacteria on contact. The development of the biodegradable hydrogel originally began with IBM's semi-conductor program and involves something it calls "ninja polymers."

IBM defines ninja polymers as "sticky nanostructures that move quickly to target infected cells in the body, destroy the harmful content inside, and can then disappear by biodegrading without causing damaging side effects or accumulating in the organs."

When the hydrogel is applied to a contaminated surface, its positive charge attracts negatively charged microbial membranes. The hydrogel thereby ruptures a bacteria's membrane. The above image shows before and after the hydrogel was applied to a MSRA biofilm. It sounds like it could be a potentially great weapon against drug-resistant bacteria.

The hyrogel does not harm healthy skin and cells. IBM says the substance could be coated on medical facility surfaces, medical instruments, office barriers and possibly even medical implants. IBM also says it could also eventually be used in creams and injectable therapeutics. The plaque that can build on your teeth is also a biofilm, so perhaps there is a way it could be used to destroy plague. Take a look:

James Hedrick, advanced organic materials scientist for IBM Research, said a statement, "his is a fundamentally different approach to fighting drug-resistant biofilms. When compared to capabilities of modern-day antibiotics and hydrogels, this new technology carries immense potential. This new technology is appearing at a crucial time as traditional chemical and biological techniques for dealing with drug-resistant bacteria and infectious diseases are increasingly problematic."

HEALTH