Team:LMU-Munich/Application/Diagnosis Treatment

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Diagnostics & Treatment

Treatment

The human nasal mucosa is the main ecological niche of Staphylococcus aureus residing in human beings. S. aureus adheres to the mucosa and the epitopes of the anterior nares. The goal of BaKillus is to decolonize and kill S. aureus within the interior nasal areas. Other methods decolonizing S. aureus have already shown to reduce the risk of infections with S. aureus.

To maintain a cheap and easy to use application we decided to create a specialized nasal spray. The general functionality is the same as any common nasal spray for medical applications, so no pre-experience is needed to use our BaKillus Spray. To make sure the BaKillus spores do not get activated early on we developed an additional chamber associated to the pump mechanism. This chamber in the shape of an open ring (Fig. 1) will be sealed by a two component lamination. One layer of plastics will tighten the chamber while a cellulose layer will add stability and make the lamination perforable. BaKillus spores will be enclosed within the chamber. In the assembled product On the first pumping the lamination will be perforated by being pushed onto the cutting edge ring. The spores will become free and mix into the second chamber below. Inside this chamber a sterile defined media will be presented to the spores as well as an oxygen enriched atmosphere. Application of the Activated BaKillus spray to the nostrils will be identical to common nasal sprays.

Usage of the BaKillus Spray will be as described below:

  1. Start spore activation by pushing down the pumping mechanism once to break the lamination seal.
  2. Mix the Spores and the medium by shaking vigorously.
  3. Incubate at 37 °C for 2 hours to activate spores.
  4. Apply BaKillus Spray to each nostril every 2 hours. Reactivated Spores can be used for 20 hours before they will die.
  5. Recycle the Nasal Spray.

For the future we emphasize a rent and return system for the nasal spray itself in combination with a more dispersed distributional network. For more information about future application scenarios please visit our (LINK: Collaboration with the Rathenau Institute) page.

For a second application, using a similar principle we invite you to visit our collaboration partner's Wiki from Groningen about the Lacto Aid System. (LINK TO COLLABORATION PAGE)


Hi there!

Welcome to our Wiki! I'm BaKillus, the pathogen-hunting microbe, and I'll guide you on this tour through our project. If you want to learn more about a specific step, you can simply close the tour and come back to it anytime you like. So let's start!

What's the problem?

First of all, what am I doing here? The problem is, pathogenic bacteria all around the world are becoming more and more resistant against antimicrobial drugs. One major reason for the trend is the inappropriate use of drugs. With my BaKillus super powers, I want to reduce this misuse and thus do my part to save global health.

Sensing of pathogens

To combat the pathogenic bacteria, I simply eavesdrop on their communication. Bacteria talk with each other via quorum sensing systems, which I use to detect them and trigger my responses.

Adhesion

The more specific and effective I can use my powers, the lower the danger is of provoking new resistance development. So I catch pathogens whenever I get hold of them and stick to them until my work is done.

Killing

Talking about my work - killing pathogens is finally what I am made for. In response to quorum sensing molecules of the pathogens, I export a range of antimicrobial substances leading to dissipation of biofilms and the killing of the targeted bacteria.

Suicide switch

When the job is done and all the bad guys are finished, you don't need a super hero anymore. So after fulfilling my work I say goodbye to the world by activating my suicide switch.

Application

Of course I'm not only a fictional hero, but a very real one. In two different prototypes, I could be used for diagnosis or treatment of pathogen-caused diseases. However, there is still a whole lot of regulational and economical questions that have to be answered before.

See you!

So now you know my short story - and it is time for me to return to my fight for a safer world. Feel free to take a closer look on my super powers, the process of my development or the plans for a medical application.

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