Microbe & material interactions research group
We have been studying the efficacy and mode of action of antimicrobial materials and coatings in cooperation with material scientists since 2015. The first project of the group that concerned antimicrobial materials ("In vitro toxicological tool-box for targeted design of antimicrobial nanomaterials”) aimed at finding of a set of effective microbicidal nanomaterials with minimal human hazard. The selected nanomaterials have a potential to be incorporated into a plastic matrix, or a polymer matrix, to be used as antimicrobial surface coatings. The results of this project were summarized in a popular science story.
Further development of antimicrobial coatings was carried out within two applied grants. In project “Novel antimicrobial surface coatings” we tested suitable matrices to which antimicrobial nanomaterials could be incorporated and another project “Development of antimicrobial surface coatings tested in real-life conditions into pilot production phase” focused on the development of matrices with an antimicrobial component to the production phase.
In addition to the development of antimicrobial materials and surfaces and their efficiacy testing we are also interested in studying the mechanisms of action of those materials as well as stress responses induced in bacterial cell.
Starting from 2020 the group has been involved in a project “Universal treatment method for antiviral protection of hard to clean surfaces” that focuses on antiviral materials and surfaces.
From 2021, the group is continuing its work towards the development of efficient and safe antimicrobial coatings in Horizon Europe project “Surface transfer of pathogens“. On the other hand, within the project “Bacterial Stress Responses and Physiological Adaptation on Antimicrobial Surfaces and Their Role in the Development of Antibiotic Resistance”, the group is studying bacterial stress responses and persistence on antimicrobial surfaces.
The research group has a long-standing collaboration with the Laboratory of X-Ray Spectroscopy of the Institute of Physics of University of Tartu on material synthesis and characterization.
Header design: Aleksandr Käkinen
Ivask, A., Ahonen, M., Kogermann, K. (2022) Antimicrobial Nano Coatings. Nanomaterials 12(23), 4338. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/nano12234338
Kisand, V., Visnapuu, M., Rosenberg, M., Danilian, D., Vlassov, S., Kook, M., Lange, S., Pärna, R., Ivask, A. (2022) Antimicrobial Activity of Commercial Photocatalytic SaniTise™ Window Glass. Catalysts, 12 (2), 197. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/catal12020197
Nefedova, A., Rausalu, K., Zusinaite, E., Vanetsev, A., Rosenberg, M., Koppel, K., Lilla, S., Visnapuu, M., Smits, K., Kisand, V., Tätte, T., Ivask., A. (2022) Antiviral efficacy of cerium oxide nanoparticles. Scientific Reports, 12 (18746). http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-23465-6.
Qiao, R., Mortimer, M., Richter, J., Rani-Borges, B., Yu, Z., Heinlaan, M., Lin, S., Ivask, A. (2022). Hazard of polystyrene micro-and nanospheres to selected aquatic and terrestrial organisms. Science of The Total Environment, 158560. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158560.
Rani-Borges, B., Meitern, R., Teesalu, P., Raudna-Kristoffersen, M., Kreitsberg, R., Heinlaan, M., Tuvikene, A., Ivask, A. (2022) Effects of environmentally relevant concentrations of microplastics on amphipods. Chemosphere, 309P1, 136599. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136599.
Kuku radio: "Behind the six pillars: What are nanomaterials?"
"Scientists about sustainable development: what color is the future?" (18.11.2022, starting from 11:40, conference presentation on Worksup platform)
Novaator: Testing of antimicrobial surfaces remains dangerously unrealistic
Pealtnägija: A top laboratory suitable for coronavirus research has been empty in Estonia for years
Nutikas: Siret Rutiku and Angela Ivask. Coronavirus research
Intervjuu: A virus inhibition study
Forte: Tartu scientists are going to kill corona with silver?
Novaator: From mobile robot to plasma: Estonian scientists are looking for cure for corona on several fronts
Tervis Pluss: Metal surfaces that kill germs help fight viruses
Tartu Ülikooli koroonakonverents: Intelligent Adaptation to the Coronavirus
Novaator: White cells help people tolerate the toxicity of nanosilver
Surface Transfer of Pathogens
01.09.2022–31.08.2026
Financing: 399 950 EUR
Principal investigator: Angela Ivask
Number: 101057961
Financier: European Commission
Institution: University of Tartu, Faculty of Science and Technology, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology
Bacterial Stress Responses and Physiological Adaptation on Antimicrobial Surfaces and Their Role in the Development of Antibiotic Resistance
01.01.2022–31.12.2026
Financing: 487 625 EUR
Principal investigator: Angela Ivask
Number: PRG1496
Financier: Estonian Research Council
Institution: University of Tartu, Faculty of Science and Technology, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology
Optimization of a touch-transfer test for evaluation of antimicronial activity;
Bacterial evlolution during antimicrobial stress conditions;
Antimicrobial compound-induced bacterial stress responses;
Horizontal gene transfer in bacteria during antimicrobial stress conditions;
Sensitivity of clinically relevant strains to antimicrobial compouds
Group members:
Professor
Room 101, Riia 23, Tartu, 51010, Estonia
Phone: +372 737 5020 ; +372 5398298
Email: angela.ivask@ut.ee
PhD student (Materials Technology) at the UT Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology
Room 304, Riia 23, Tartu, 51010, Estonia
Email: harleen.kaur@ut.ee
Sigrit Umerov
Student
Room 304, Riia 23, Tartu, 51010, Estonia
Sandra Park
Student
Room 304, Riia 23, Tartu, 51010, Estonia
Brenda Raid
Laboratory technician
Room 301, Riia 23, Tartu, 51010, Estonia
Phone: +372 737 5020
Email: brenda.raid@ut.ee
Past members:
Jan Lukas Hobrock (2022)
Aigerim Galyeva, PhD student
Kairi Koppel, PhD student
Levi Tomitsik
