DUALFUN

Surface-induced thrombosis and infection are two main complications which cause failure of medical devices. Device-related thrombosis is associated with activation of blood clotting and platelets adhesion and activation. Infection of the implanted devices occurred as a result of bacteria adhesion to the biomaterial surface. A genuinely biocompatible polymer for blood contacting devices should have both antithrombotic and antibacterial functionalities as both types of complication lead to an increase in morbidity, extended hospital stay and mortality.

In order to prevent device-induced thrombosis and infection, novel dual function polymer materials – thromboresistant and antimicrobial – will be produced. A novel and original approach that involves construction of multifunctional coatings, which combine formulation of the nitric oxide (NO) generating surface with the ability to prevent bacterial adhesion, capacity to inhibit platelet adhesion and the surface-bound argatroban drug will be applied to inhibit any surface-produced thrombin. The polymer matrices chosen for the design of dual function materials are the most commonly used synthetic polymers; polyurethane (PU) and polyvinylchloride (PVC) and the biopolymer collagen.

This project will be hosted by the multi-disciplinary Biomaterials and Medical Devices Research group at School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences. The project builds on the research from the previous FP6 IRSES Compositum and FP7 IRSES Nanobiomat projects, completed by the group, which also included Dr Liana Azizova as a visiting  Research Fellow and co-author for the current DUALFUN project.