b'UNIVERSITY/PROJECT TITLE PROJECT SUMMARY RESEARCHCOLLABORATOR/SINSTITUTIONExamining the potentialAntibiotic-resistant bacteria and fungi pose aUniversity ofDestiny Pharma of pharmaceutical agentssignificant threat in ophthalmic e.g. microbialSheffield plc(XF-drugs) to preventkeratitis, resulting in vision impairment and and proactively manageblindness particularly in lower to middle income bacterial and fungalcountries. The purpose of this study is to infections in a dynamic exexamine the effectiveness of novel antimicrobial-vivo ocular model system drugs, against clinically relevant bacterial and fungal species in a model system.In situ underwater opticalThere is a growing market in the Marine andUniversity ofChelsea sensors Freshwater sector for in situ sensors to monitorLiverpool Technologies water environments.A significant bottleneckGroup Ltdis rapid instrument failure due to biofouling of sensor windows. This project will: (i) create smart antibiofouling windows; (ii) modify and upgrade current sensors for underwater biofilms identification.Branched functionalBiofilms in wounds and on medical devices areUniversity of5D Health polymers for disruptinga major problem that prevent the treatmentBradford Protection bacterial biofilms of infection. They are produced by infectingGroup Ltdorganisms and protect it from treatment with antimicrobials and antibiotics. In this project awe are using nanotechnology to disrupt these films to expose the organisms to treatment.The effect of electrospunBiofilm formation leads to significant failureSwanseaHybrisannanofibre diameter andof wound dressings, due to poor nanofiberUniversityconditioning film ondesign. This prolongs healing and increases the controlling active biofilmrisks of invasive disease.In collaboration with formation in woundHybrisan, we will fabricate nanofibres of different dressings diameters changing their morphology (size / shape) improving antimicrobial properties and colonisation resistance of wound dressings.HullSense We will design, build and test a working prototypePlymouthValeport Ltdbiofilm sensor that will sense microfouling, in realMarine time on ships hulls.This direct measurementLaboratoryof biofilm will allow in-water hull cleaning to be correctly scheduled to: extend longevity of coatings, reduce fuel consumption and reduce green-house gas emissions.Development of newWe have recently demonstrated the potential toUniversity ofPublic Health antibiofilm agentsrepurpose existing drugs already used in humanBath England and through repurposing ofmedicine as antibiofilm agents. This project willKings College existing licensed drugs provide a comprehensive screen of available drugsLondonto identify the best candidates for repurposing as antibiofilm agents, with an initial focus on catheter associated urinary tract infection.Detection of biofilmsWound infection results in poorer outcomes forUniversity of theUniversitythat give rise to woundpatients and higher costs for the NHS. We aim toWest of EnglandHospitalsinfection; development ofdetect the gases produced by microorganisms(UWE), Bristol Bristol NHS a prototype point-of-carethat cause wound infection using nanomaterialFoundation Trust device based on rapidbased sensors. This Proof of Concept device couldanddetection and analysis ofpotentially lead to future production of a novelAltered Carbonmicrobial volatiles point-of-care diagnostic tool.51'