Broad-spectrum peptide nucleic acid anti-biofilm coating
This technology involves specially engineered synthetic molecules called peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) that can silence the master control genes bacteria use to form biofilms — the slimy, antibiotic-resistant communities that grow on surfaces like medical implants, catheters, and wound tissue. The innovation is that these 'wide range' PNAs are designed to work across multiple bacterial species simultaneously, including mixed-species infections, by accounting for slight genetic differences between them. They can be incorporated into coatings or delivered directly to biotic (living tissue) and abiotic (device surfaces) environments. In practice, this means a single PNA formulation could prevent or disrupt biofilm formation in contexts ranging from hospital equipment to wound care rather than requiring species-specific treatments.
What you could build
An antimicrobial coating or topical formulation for medical implants, catheters, or wound dressings that prevents polymicrobial biofilm formation; medical device manufacturers and advanced wound care companies would be the primary buyers.
Who in Virginia should care
Virginia-based medical device manufacturers, hospital systems such as Inova or VCU Health, and defense medical R&D interests at USAMRIID or DARPA-adjacent contractors would have plausible interest in biofilm-resistant implant and wound care solutions.
Readiness: Concept
Concept — described but not yet demonstrated. Lab validated — supported by experimental results in the patent. Prototype likely — the text describes a built, working embodiment.
Readiness is inferred from the patent text, not from a lab visit.
The record
- Inventors
- Jayasimha Rao, Nammalwar Sriranganathan, Elizabeth Nowak, Michael Schulz, Hannah Karp, Gillian Su
- Filed
- Patent pending — filed May 7, 2025
- Status
- Application
- Publication number
- US20250345483A1
Ready to talk?
Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties handles licensing for this technology.
Prosim summaries are generated from public patent text and are not legal advice.