Kerry LaPlante, University of Rhode Island
Kathryn Daffinee, University of Rhode Island
Project Location
Providence VA Medical Center
Project Description
Biofilms are a natural antimicrobial resistance barrier produced by bacteria and account for up to 80 percent of the total number of microbial infections. There is an immediate need to optimize therapy algorithms and treatment strategies in biofilm forming infections. The pharmacodynamic exposures of systemic antibiotic regimens against planktonic bacteria are well understood. However, there are significant knowledge gaps regarding optimal bactericidal kill against bacteria embedded in biofilm, and the role of combination therapy in biofilm penetration. Our central hypothesis is that by understanding antibiotic activity, penetration and bioavailability of antibiotics within biofilms, we can manipulate therapeutic exposure indexes of antibiotic combination therapy to overcome biofilm resistance mechanisms. Our current data has shown that concentrations needed to obtain eradication of biofilm on foreign materials are not obtained with systemic dosing regimens of frequently utilized antibiotics.
This project involves primarily lab or computer work
Will students require their own transportation to field sites and/or other off-campus locations?
Yes
Additional Information
- Dr. LaPlante’s Research Page
RI NSF EPSCoR is supported in part by the U.S. National Science Foundation under EPSCoR Cooperative Agreements #OIA-2433276 and in part by the RI Commerce Corporation via the Science and Technology Advisory Committee [STAC]. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. National Science Foundation, the RI Commerce Corporation, STAC, our partners or our collaborators.