Saverio Caporalini

Fromer Visiting Researcher (University of Pisa, Italy)

Development and validation of antibacterial/antifouling bio-nanofiber coatings to increase durability and performance of percutaneous medical devices and reduce medical waste

 

PhD Advisor: Prof. Serena Danti (University of Pisa, Italy)

PhD Co-advisor: Prof. Giovanna Batoni (University of Pisa, Italy)

Industrial tutor: Stefano Linari (Linari Engineering s.r.l., Pisa, Italy)

Tutors out of country: Prof. Ipsita Roy (University of Sheffield, UK) and Prof. Aldo R. Boccaccini (FAU, DE)

In the medical field, new antibacterial treatments are essential to control nosocomial infections caused during surgical and post-surgical treatments through percutaneous medical devices application that promote bacteria access inside the body. Despite the systemic antibiotic therapy administered to patients, often poor efficacy of them and the development of resistant species are observed. The aim of the project is to develop and validate in vitro new green coatings with antimicrobial activities to be applied on percutaneous medical devices that reduce bacterial colonization and biofilm formation using biobased and biocompatible nanomaterials by electrospinning, a low impact technology, and testing them with different microbial agents.

Funding: Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR), PON 2014-2020 “Research and Innovation“ resources – Green – DM MUR 1062/2021