Insect wings inspire new ways to fight superbugs
Scientists reveal how nanomaterials inspired by insect wings are able to destroy bacteria on contact - by stretching, slicing or tearing them apart


Date:
August 18, 2020
Source:
RMIT University
Summary:
The wings of cicadas and dragonflies are natural bacteria killers,
inspiring scientists who are searching for new ways to defeat
drug- resistant superbugs. They've now revealed how bioinspired
nanomaterials physically destroy bacteria. It's a vital step on
the way to delivering precisely engineered anti-bacterial surfaces,
and powerful new weapons in the fight against deadly superbugs.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Scientists have revealed how nanomaterials inspired by insect wings are
able to destroy bacteria on contact.


==========================================================================
The wings of cicadas and dragonflies are natural bacteria killers,
a phenomenon that has spurred researchers searching for ways to defeat drug-resistant superbugs.

New anti-bacterial surfaces are being developed, featuring different nanopatterns that mimic the deadly action of insect wings, but scientists
are only beginning to unravel the mysteries of how they work.

In a review published in Nature Reviews Microbiology, researchers have
detailed exactly how these patterns destroy bacteria -- stretching,
slicing or tearing them apart.

Lead author, RMIT University's Distinguished Professor Elena Ivanova, said finding non-chemical ways of killing bacteria was critical, with more than 700,000 people dying each year due to drug-resistant bacterial infection.

"Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is one of the greatest threats to
global health and routine treatment of infection is becoming increasingly difficult," Ivanova said.



========================================================================== "When we look to nature for ideas, we find insects have evolved highly effective anti-bacterial systems.

"If we can understand exactly how insect-inspired nanopatterns kill
bacteria, we can be more precise in engineering these shapes to improve
their effectiveness against infections.

"Our ultimate goal is to develop low-cost and scaleable anti-bacterial
surfaces for use in implants and in hospitals, to deliver powerful new
weapons in the fight against deadly superbugs." Bacteria-killing surfaces
The wings of cicadas and dragonflies are covered in tiny nanopillars,
which were the first nanopatterns developed by scientists aiming to
imitate their bactericidal effects.



========================================================================== Since then, they've also precisely engineered other nanoshapes like
sheets and wires, all designed to physically damage bacteria cells.

Bacteria that land on these nanostructures find themselves pulled,
stretched or sliced apart, rupturing the bacterial cell membrane and
eventually killing them.

The new review for the first time categorises the different ways these
surface nanopatterns deliver the necessary mechanical forces to burst
the cell membrane.

"Our synthetic biomimetic nanostructures vary substantially in their anti- bacterial performance and it's not always clear why," Ivanova said.

"We have also struggled to work out the optimal shape and dimensions of
a particular nanopattern, to maximise its lethal power.

"While the synthetic surfaces we've been developing take nature to
the next level, even looking at dragonflies, for example, we see that
different species have wings that are better at killing some bacteria
than others.

"When we examine the wings at the nanoscale, we see differences in the
density, height and diameter of the nanopillars that cover the surfaces
of these wings, so we know that getting the nanostructures right is key." Ivanova said producing nanostructured surfaces in large volumes cost- effectively, so they could be used in medical or industrial applications, remained a challenge.

But recent advancements in nanofabrication technologies have shown
promise for opening a new era of biomedical antimicrobial nanotechnology,
she said.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyIrF5Jbrs8&feature=emb_logo

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by RMIT_University. Note: Content may
be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Denver P. Linklater, Vladimir A. Baulin, Saulius Juodkazis,
Russell J.

Crawford, Paul Stoodley, Elena P. Ivanova. Mechano-bactericidal
actions of nanostructured surfaces. Nature Reviews Microbiology,
2020; DOI: 10.1038/s41579-020-0414-z ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/08/200818103841.htm

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