Innovative medical device green coatings based on assemblies of physiological metals and biopolymers – MEROU

A multidisciplinary methodology is being developed thanks to strong interactions between the three partner laboratories, INSERM U1121 Biomaterials and Bioengineering, and UMR 7274 Laboratoire Réaction et Génie des Procédés and UMR 7086 Interfaces Traitements Organisation et Dynamique des Systèmes. The proposed methodological approach will explore experimental aspects (chemical synthesis and characterisation, physical chemistry of surfaces, microbiology, cell biology) and numerical modelling aspects carried out in parallel.

The results expected from MEROU will be the production of new knowledge through the synthesis of a homogeneous family of metal-based entities combined with biopolymers. These systems integrated into surface coatings and their interactions with bacteria, fungi and eukaryotic cells will be evaluated. The project is underway and the initial results obtained are very encouraging in terms of achieving the project's objective.

This is an innovative project. It is aimed at the implantable and non-implantable medical devices market. The concept could also be deployed in the cosmetics and agri-food sectors. It will give rise to new strategies in the fight against infectious agents.

MEROU aims to develop new biocoatings covering medical devices (MD) to 1) prevent bacterial and fungal infections and 2) promote the healing process. These biocoatings will be constructed from a combination of multilayers of antibacterial polypeptide polymers incorporating innovative nanoclusters (NC), based on physiological metals with antibacterial, antifungal and pro-healing properties. This association must guarantee a synergistic effect making it possible to optimize the effectiveness of these coatings. New NC based on zinc, manganese, cobalt, molybdenum or vanadium will be integrated into multilayer polymer systems allowing MD coverage. Two families of NC will be developed depending on the ligands chosen, structuring the metallic core (amino acids or polypeptides). Their physicochemical and biological characterization will be supplemented by a molecular modeling approach in order to select the most efficient (stability, effectiveness vs. microorganisms and pro-healing effect). The chosen NC will be integrated into multilayer films to cover MD. Proof of concept will be provided in vivo by two animal models of infected wounds treated with meshes impregnated with multilayer films incorporating NC. MEROU is a multidisciplinary project whose scientific, experimental and modeling questions will be addressed by a multidisciplinary consortium with a laboratory specializing in the synthesis of NC for health, a laboratory recognized for its expertise in multilayer systems for covering MD and a third laboratory specialized in modeling the interaction of entities at interfaces.