Microbe & material interactions research group

20.11.2024

Efficiancy and mode of action of antimicrobial materials and surfaces
Microbial stress responses induced by antimicrobial materials and surfaces
The formation of biofilms on antimicrobial surfaces
Research on antiviral activity of materials

Keywords

nanomaterials
coatings
materials science
antimicrobials
antiviral activity

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

Kook, Mati; Kaur, Harleen; Danilian, Dmytro; Rosenberg, Merilin; Kisand, Vambola; Ivask, Angela (2024). Durability of photocatalytic ZnO-based surface coatings and preservation of their antibacterial effect after simulated wear. Journal of Coatings Technology and Research. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11998-023-00868-2

Nefedova, Alexandra; Svensson, Fredric G; Vanetsev, Alexander S; Agback, Peter; Agback, Tatiana; Gohil, Suresh; Kloo, Lars; Tätte, Tanel; Ivask, Angela; Seisenbaeva, Gulaim A; Kessler, Vadim G (2024). Molecular Mechanisms in Metal Oxide Nanoparticle-Tryptophan Interactions. Inorganic Chemistry, 63 (19), 8556−8566. http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.inorgchem.3c03674

Danilian, Dmytro; Bundruck, Franziska Maria; Kikas, Arvo; Kaambre, Tanel; Mandar, Hugo; Lehner, Sandro; Gogos, Alexander; Kozlova, Jekaterina; Kook, Mati; Kiisk, Valter; Link, Joosep; Stern, Raivo; Ivask, Angela; Kisand, Vambola; Parna, Rainer (2024). Reusable magnetic mixture of CuFe2O4-Fe2O3 and TiO2 for photocatalytic degradation of pesticides in water. RSC Advances, 14 (18), 12337−12348. http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/d4ra00094c

Nefedova, A., Rausalu, K., Zusinaite, E., Kisand, V., Kook, M., Smits, K., Vanetsev, A., Ivask, A. (2023) Antiviral efficacy of nanomaterial-treated textiles in real-life like exposure conditions. Heliyon. 9(9):e20067. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20067

Kaur, H., Rosenberg, M., Kook, M., Danilian, D., Kisand, V., Ivask, A. (2023) Antibacterial activity of solid surfaces is critically dependent on relative humidity, inoculum volume and organic soiling. bioRxiv 2023.03.28.534510; https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.03.28.534510. 

Ivask, A., Ahonen, M., Kogermann, K. (2022) Antimicrobial Nano Coatings. Nanomaterials 12(23), 4338. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/nano12234338.

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.

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.

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

Kanal 2 „Ja nii ongi!“: Coverage on projects funded by thematic research and development programs (TemTA)
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

Antimicrobial synergy-driven surface coatings - innovative solutions in healthcare environment
Duration: 01.01.2024 – 31.12.2028
Financier: Estonian Research Council
Applicant: National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics
Partner: University of Tartu (Institute of Physics, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Professor of Genetics Angela Ivask)
News on the webpage of the institute.

Twinning on Functional Antimicrobial Surfaces Testing and Evaluation for Real-world Performance and Sustainability
Duration: 01.09.2024–31.08.2027
Financing: 941957 EUR
Principal investigator: Angela Ivask
Number: 101159721
Financier: European Commission
Institution: University of Tartu, Faculty of Science and Technology, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology
News on the webpage of the institute.