Quantcast
ZME Science
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Features
    Menu
    Natural Sciences
    Health
    History & Humanities
    Space & Astronomy
    Technology
    Culture
    Resources
    Natural Sciences

    Physics

    • Matter and Energy
    • Quantum Mechanics
    • Thermodynamics

    Chemistry

    • Periodic Table
    • Applied Chemistry
    • Materials
    • Physical Chemistry

    Biology

    • Anatomy
    • Biochemistry
    • Ecology
    • Genetics
    • Microbiology
    • Plants and Fungi

    Geology and Paleontology

    • Planet Earth
    • Earth Dynamics
    • Rocks and Minerals
    • Volcanoes
    • Dinosaurs
    • Fossils

    Animals

    • Mammals
    • Birds
    • Fish
    • Reptiles
    • Amphibians
    • Invertebrates
    • Pets
    • Conservation
    • Animals Facts

    Climate and Weather

    • Climate Change
    • Weather and Atmosphere

    Geography

    Mathematics

    Health
    • Drugs
    • Diseases and Conditions
    • Human Body
    • Mind and Brain
    • Food and Nutrition
    • Wellness
    History & Humanities
    • Anthropology
    • Archaeology
    • Economics
    • History
    • People
    • Sociology
    Space & Astronomy
    • The Solar System
    • The Sun
    • The Moon
    • Planets
    • Asteroids, Meteors and Comets
    • Astronomy
    • Astrophysics
    • Cosmology
    • Exoplanets and Alien Life
    • Spaceflight and Exploration
    Technology
    • Computer Science & IT
    • Engineering
    • Inventions
    • Sustainability
    • Renewable Energy
    • Green Living
    Culture
    • Culture and Society
    • Bizarre Stories
    • Lifestyle
    • Art and Music
    • Gaming
    • Books
    • Movies and Shows
    Resources
    • How To
    • Science Careers
    • Metascience
    • Fringe Science
    • Science Experiments
    • School and Study
    • Natural Sciences
    • Health
    • History and Humanities
    • Space & Astronomy
    • Culture
    • Technology
    • Resources
  • Reviews
  • More
    • Agriculture
    • Anthropology
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Electronics
    • Geology
    • History
    • Mathematics
    • Nanotechnology
    • Economics
    • Paleontology
    • Physics
    • Psychology
    • Robotics
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Science

Researchers develop new bandage that senses and treats drug-resistant bacteria

Fermin Koop by Fermin Koop
January 29, 2020
in Diseases, Health, News, Science

Resistance to antibiotics is one of the main threats to global health, with two million new infections in the US every year showing resistance to antibiotics. That’s why identifying and treating bacterial infections earlier is key, helping to improve patients’ recovery and reducing the spread of microbes.

Credit Wikipedia Commons

A team of researchers reporting in the American Chemical Society developed a set of bandages that change their color by sensing drug-resistant and drug-sensitive bacteria in wounds, also treating them accordingly.

Xiaogang Qu from the University of Science and Technology of China and a group of colleagues created a material that goes from green to yellow by contacting the acidic microenvironment caused by a bacterial infection. The material is incorporated into the bandage and releases an antibiotic that kills the drug-resistant bacteria.

“We constructed a portable paper-based band-aid (PBA) which implements a selective antibacterial strategy after sensing of drug resistance. The colors of PBA indicate bacterial infection (yellow) and drug resistance (red), just like a bacterial resistance colorimetric card,” the researchers wrote.

The bandages turn red in color if in the presence of a drug-resistant bacterium, all thanks to the action of an enzyme produced by said microbes. When that happens, the researchers shine light on the bandage, which causes the release of reactive oxygen species that kill or weaken the bacteria.

“Compared with traditional PDT-based antibacterial strategies, our design can alleviate off-target side effects, maximize therapeutic efficacy, and track the drug resistance in real-time with the naked eye. This work develops a new way for the rational use of antibiotics,” the researchers wrote.

Thanks to their work, the team proved that the bandage speeds up the healing of wounds in mice that had been infected with drug-sensitive or drug-resistant bacteria. Now, the challenge will be to expand its use to practical applications, which the teams believes possible due to the low cost and the easy operation of the device.

This is not the first time a smart band-aid is developed for diverse applications. Researchers in Zurich developed a type of bandage that simultaneously repels blood and promotes clotting, while researchers in the US are looking at synthesizing spider silk for a new time of bandage.

Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Related posts:
  1. Irish dirt might cure the world of (most) multi-drug-resistant bacteria
  2. World leaders pledge to fight drug-resistant bacteria
  3. Hospitals in Europe are contributing to the spread of extremely drug-resistant bacteria
  4. New compounds fight drug-resistant bacteria by turning their membranes into prison cells
  5. New injectable drug both prevents and treats HIV infections
Tags: bacteriabandagedrug resistant antibioticdrug sensitive bacteria

ADVERTISEMENT
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Features
  • Reviews
  • More
  • About Us

© 2007-2021 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Health
    • History and Humanities
    • Space & Astronomy
    • Culture
    • Technology
    • Resources
  • Reviews
  • More
    • Agriculture
    • Anthropology
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Electronics
    • Geology
    • History
    • Mathematics
    • Nanotechnology
    • Economics
    • Paleontology
    • Physics
    • Psychology
    • Robotics
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2021 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

Don’t you want to get smarter every day?

YES, sign me up!

Over 35,000 subscribers can’t be wrong. Don’t worry, we never spam. By signing up you agree to our privacy policy.

✕
ZME Science News

FREE
VIEW