Characterizing phage mechanisms that target Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms

Gram negative bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosas is one of the most dangerous opportunistic bacterial pathogen. One of its virulence factors, which highly increases its versatility, is the ability to form biofilms. Biofilms are structured microbial communities that are surrounded with extracellular matrix, they can be formed on abiotic as well as on living surfaces. Biofilms are highly resistant to antimicrobials and very little susceptibile to host immune system. Biofilm-related infections tend to be chronic. P. aeruginosa biofilm infections are commonly observed in situations such as lungs of cystic fibrosis patients (genetic disease)and chronic wounds, being especially problematic and showing highly increasing morbidity of patients and health care costs. In this project, we explore the potential of novel phage-derived biofilm-inhibiting proteins as a source to develop a new generation of antibiofilm molecules. These molecules will mimic the antibiofilm effect of the phage proteins, exploiting potentially novel, evolutionary-optimized targets.