Bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics can lead to severe, hard-to-treat wound infections. Image: CDC on Unsplash
Bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics can lead to severe, hard-to-treat wound infections. Image: CDC on Unsplash - In order to combat bacterial wound infections, Empa researchers have developed cellulose membranes equipped with antimicrobial peptides. Initial results show: The skin-friendly membranes made of plant-based materials kill bacteria very efficiently. If germs invade a wound, they can trigger a long-lasting infection that may fail to heal or even spread throughout the body, leading to life-threatening blood poisoning (sepsis). The problem of antibiotic resistance is becoming more and more widespread, particularly in complex wounds, as bacteria such as staphylococci have become resistant to what was once the miracle weapon of medicine. Empa researchers have therefore developed cellulose membranes, with which these infections can be eliminated early on. The team led by Empa researcher Katharina Maniura from the Biointerfaces lab in St. Gallen produced fine membranes from cellulose using electrospinning technology.
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