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Dragonfly wings in the hospital

Dragonfly wings are naturally antibacterial - article with Dao Nguyen

Did you know that dragonfly wings are naturally antibacterial?

Biofilms are colonies of bacteria that can attach securely to the surface of certain medical devices. Shockingly, a quarter of all nosocomial infections are reported to be associated with the use of infected equipment, based on American data.

RI-MUHC researcher Dao Nguyen shares some thoughts on combatting biofilms in this short article from Quebec Science. Her research team is looking at the wings of dragonflies and cicadas to better design safe antibacterial materials. Nanometric structures on dragaonfly and cicada wings actually kill bacteria by physical contact. Therefore, there is great interest to design and develop antibacterial materials that mimic this natural structure.

The research team will observe interactions between bacteria and these newly designed materials, then test the most promising against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a bacteria responsible for hospital-acquired infections as well as fatal infections in people with cystic fibrosis. It has an ability to form biofilms and is naturally resistant to many drugs.

If the results are conclusive, the materials may eventually be used on a large scale to make safer medical devices and instruments.

Read the full article (in French):

Des ailes de libellule à l’hôpital. Québec Science. By Marine Corniou. Aug 28, 2019.