They develop new nanoparticles that can be used as bactericidal agents

This new hybrid nanomaterial, by employing several mechanisms of antimicrobial action, reduces the chances of bacteria acquiring permanent resistance

The scientific journal “Small” includes this finding by researchers from the University of Zaragoza, the Aragon Health Research Institute, the Aragon Institute of Nanoscience and Materials (CSIC-UNIZAR) and the Public University of Navarra.

Researchers from Aragon and Navarra have developed new nanoparticles that can be used as bactericidal agents in medical and veterinary treatments, reducing the possibilities of bacteria acquiring permanent resistance by employing various mechanisms of antimicrobial action, making their use harmless against human cells.

This finding, which has just been published by scientific magazine “Small”, has been possible thanks to the close collaboration of a multidisciplinary team of scientists from the University of Zaragoza, the Aragon Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), the Aragon Institute of Nanoscience and Materials (INMA, a joint institute of the CSIC and the University of Zaragoza), and the Institute of Advanced Materials and Mathematics (INAMAT2) of the Public University of Navarra (UPNA).

The new hybrid nanomaterial (gold covered with a group of metals) has proven very effective against bacteria Escherichia coli,some of whose most virulent strains are responsible for intestinal infections, cystitis, pneumonia, bacteremia and abdominal infections such as peritonitis.

“The search for new antimicrobial approaches to eradicate bacteria without damaging mammalian cells is of vital importance for future strategies pharmacological measures against infections”, describe the authors of this research, published in the scientific journal “Small”, from the Wiley publishing house, and chosen for its inside cover. Along with him, Luis Gandía Pascual, Santiago Reinoso Crespo and Fernando Almazán Román signed the article on behalf of the UPNA, in addition to Mónica Paesa Morales, Cristina Yus Argón, Víctor Sebastián Cabeza and Manuel Arruebo Gordo (researchers from the University of Zaragoza at the INMA) and Gracia Mendoza Cantos (for the IIS Aragón).

Metal-coated gold nanoparticles
The research team has developed gold nanoparticles coated with a polyoxometalate, a chemical compound made up of germanium, molybdenum and titanium. This resulting hybrid nanomaterial integrates and enhances the properties of its components and influences the way nanoparticles interact with their environment, e.g. improving its ability to target certain types of bacteria.

“These nanoparticles attack bacterial cells to cause rupture of the cell membrane wall. This causes the leakage of intracellular substances, which leads to the death of the bacteria. In turn, they have a very low cytotoxicity to human cells, which would make them viable for medical or veterinary treatments,” says the research team.

Against bacterial resistance
In its work, the research team has verified “an exceptional and selective bactericidal effect” for gram-negative bacteria, those whose outer membrane gives them particular characteristics, such as greater resistance to certain antibiotics and disinfectants. Specifically, the effectiveness has been proven with the bacteria E. coli. "This work has shown that these new antibiotic nanomaterials show bactericidal activity similar to current antibiotics, but reducing the possibilities of bacteria acquiring permanent resistance, since they present multiple mechanisms of antimicrobial action and thus prevent bacteria from adapting to a single way of destruction,” emphasizes Ismael Pellejero, researcher at the UPNA.

Article:  https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/smll.202470051

Further information:
Manuel Arruebo Gordo, researcher at the University of Zaragoza at INMA, joint CSIC-UNIZAR.
Gracia Mendoza Cantos, researcher at IIS Aragón

Source: University of Zaragoza

Photography: IM Medical