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.

 

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

Group members:

Angela Ivask

Angela Ivask

Professor

Room 301, Riia 23, Tartu, 51010, Estonia

Phone: +372 737 5020 ; +372 5398298

Email: angela.ivask@ut.ee

Merilin Rosenberg

Merilin Rosenberg 

Research Fellow

Room 304, Riia 23, Tartu, 51010, Estonia

Email: merilin.rosenberg@ut.ee

Harleen Kaur

Harleen Kaur 

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

Aigerim Galiyeva

Aigerim Galiyeva

PhD student

Room 301, Riia 23, Tartu, 51010, Estonia

Phone: +372 737 5020

Email: aigerim.galiyeva@ut.ee

Sandra Vaikla

Sandra Vaikla

Student

Room 304, Riia 23, Tartu, 51010, Estonia

Levi Tomitsik

Levi Tomitsik

Student

Room 304, Riia 23, Tartu, 51010, Estonia

Eva-Liis Loogväli

Eva-Liis Loogväli

Laboratory specialist

Room 301, Riia 23, Tartu, 51010, Estonia

Phone: +372 737 5020

Email: eva-liis.loogvali@ut.ee

Sigrit Umerov

Sigrit Umerov

Student

Room 304, Riia 23, Tartu, 51010, Estonia

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Alumni:

Jan Lukas Hobrock

Jan Lukas Hobrock (2022)

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IMCB in-house seminars: spring 2023

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RMA Academy Vilnius Jan 24 2023

Vilnius University hosted research management administrators and early stage researchers within the Alliance4Life consortium