Figure 1: Cellular and acellular sensor-actuator systems
Figure 2: 3D model INTERbACT (Implant-Tissue-Bacteria)
Figure 3: 3D model INTERbACT (Histological representation)

Bacterial biofilms are complex communities of bacteria that can accumulate on artificial surfaces in the body, such as implant surfaces. The resulting implant-associated infections can cause serious complications in various medical disciplines. Therefore, new implant surfaces must be researched that specifically counteract biofilm formation.

In subproject B01, the aim is to develop intelligent implant-associated sensor-actuator systems that detect the colonization of the implant surface with pathogenic biofilms and subsequently release antimicrobial agents autonomously. In addition to effective infection control, this targeted drug release – exclusively in the presence of pathogenic biofilms -has the advantage of a prolonged availability of active substance depots and reduced side effects

For the development of such autonomously reacting systems, chemical systems are being established in which the presence of certain triggers causes a release of antibacterial agents from an implant coating. In addition, cellular systems as well as a combination of chemical and cellular systems are being explored in which cellular systems produce antibacterial proteins and triggers for the targeted activation of acellular drug depots, respectively.

To evaluate and fine-tune such sophisticated sensor-actuator systems comprehensive model systems are needed. In subproject B01, the first 3D model ever described in the literature (INTERbACT) was developed, which enables the investigation of interactions between implant surfaces, bacterial biofilms and various human cells already under experimental conditions. The research and development of sensor-actuator systems in this research network will in the future sustainably improve the long-term prognosis and safety of medical implants.

Management of the project B01

  • Prof. Dr. Henning Menzel
    Prof. Dr. Henning Menzel
  • Prof. Dr. Meike Stiesch
    Prof. Dr. Meike Stiesch
  • Prof. Dr. Dagmar Wirth
    Prof. Dr. Dagmar Wirth
  • Prof. Dr. Henning Menzel
    Prof. Dr. Henning Menzel
  • Prof. Dr. Meike Stiesch
    Prof. Dr. Meike Stiesch
  • Prof. Dr. Dagmar Wirth
    Prof. Dr. Dagmar Wirth
  • Prof. Dr. Meike Stiesch
    Prof. Dr. Meike Stiesch
  • Prof. Dr. Henning Menzel
    Prof. Dr. Henning Menzel
  • Prof. Dr. Dagmar Wirth
    Prof. Dr. Dagmar Wirth

Scientific team in B01
(in alphabetical order)

Scientific team in B01  (in alphabetical order)

  • Dr. Carina Mikolai
    Dr. Carina Mikolai
  • M. Sc. Nelly Nnane
    M. Sc. Nelly Nnane
  • Dr. Imran Rahim
    Dr. Imran Rahim
  • M. Sc. Sushobhan Sarker
    M. Sc. Sushobhan Sarker
  • Dr. Carina Mikolai
    Dr. Carina Mikolai
  • M. Sc. Nelly Nnane
    M. Sc. Nelly Nnane
  • Dr. Imran Rahim
    Dr. Imran Rahim
  • M. Sc. Sushobhan Sarker
    M. Sc. Sushobhan Sarker
  • Dr. Carina Mikolai
    Dr. Carina Mikolai
  • M. Sc. Nelly Nnane
    M. Sc. Nelly Nnane
  • Dr. Imran Rahim
    Dr. Imran Rahim
  • M. Sc. Sushobhan Sarker
    M. Sc. Sushobhan Sarker

Management of the project B01

  • Prof. Dr. Henning Menzel
    Prof. Dr. Henning Menzel
  • Prof. Dr. Meike Stiesch
    Prof. Dr. Meike Stiesch
  • Prof. Dr. Dagmar Wirth
    Prof. Dr. Dagmar Wirth
  • Prof. Dr. Henning Menzel
    Prof. Dr. Henning Menzel
  • Prof. Dr. Meike Stiesch
    Prof. Dr. Meike Stiesch
  • Prof. Dr. Dagmar Wirth
    Prof. Dr. Dagmar Wirth
  • Prof. Dr. Meike Stiesch
    Prof. Dr. Meike Stiesch
  • Prof. Dr. Henning Menzel
    Prof. Dr. Henning Menzel
  • Prof. Dr. Dagmar Wirth
    Prof. Dr. Dagmar Wirth

Scientific team in B01
(in alphabetical order)

Scientific team in B01  (in alphabetical order)

  • Dr. Carina Mikolai
    Dr. Carina Mikolai
  • M. Sc. Nelly Nnane
    M. Sc. Nelly Nnane
  • Dr. Imran Rahim
    Dr. Imran Rahim
  • M. Sc. Sushobhan Sarker
    M. Sc. Sushobhan Sarker
  • Dr. Carina Mikolai
    Dr. Carina Mikolai
  • M. Sc. Nelly Nnane
    M. Sc. Nelly Nnane
  • Dr. Imran Rahim
    Dr. Imran Rahim
  • M. Sc. Sushobhan Sarker
    M. Sc. Sushobhan Sarker
  • Dr. Carina Mikolai
    Dr. Carina Mikolai
  • M. Sc. Nelly Nnane
    M. Sc. Nelly Nnane
  • Dr. Imran Rahim
    Dr. Imran Rahim
  • M. Sc. Sushobhan Sarker
    M. Sc. Sushobhan Sarker
Participating Institutions
  • Medizinische Hochschule Hannover
    Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1
    30625 Hannover

    Technische Universität Braunschweig
    Universitätsplatz 2
    38106 Braunschweig

  • Helmholtz-Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (HZI)
    Inhoffenstraße 7
    38124 Braunschweig

Publications

An overview of our subproject’s publications is available in the publication section of this website. If you have any questions about our scientific work, please feel free to contact us!