Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have developed nanostructured aluminum oxide surfaces that are highly antibacterial yet suitable for cell cultivation, according to Phys.org.
The surfaces, made from anodic porous aluminum (APA) through a specific processing method, exhibit unprecedented resistance to bacterial growth while allowing for the growth of cell cultures.
This technology has potential applications in regenerative medicine, where contamination-free high-quality cell cultures can be produced without the use of antibiotics.
Surfaces resistant to bacterial contamination play a crucial role in public health. While powerful antibiotics and chemicals can achieve such resistance, they pose environmental risks and health concerns, including the emergence of dangerous antibiotic-resistant strains.
As a result, alternative methods for controlling the spread of bacterial pathogens are being sought. Nanostructured surfaces emerged as a viable solution, with natural nanostructures on cicada wings and dragonfly wings shown to resist bacterial contamination over a decade ago.
Subsequently, scientists have been exploring ways to create artificial surfaces that can replicate this effect. The authors of the current study investigated the use of anodic porous aluminum (APA) and refined their processing method to achieve surfaces that significantly outperform existing options. Importantly, these surfaces are safe for biological cells cultivated on them.
The advantage of anodic porous aluminum (APA) surfaces over others lies in their effectiveness against antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the fact that their excessive use does not lead to the emergence of more resistant strains.
This achievement is promising for regenerative medicine, where cells are cultivated in laboratories before being introduced into patients for the treatment of tissue and organ damage. Any bacterial invasion in these cells can have severe consequences for patients, often requiring specialized and costly sterile environments.