Created nanocomposite copper coating to fight superbugs

Researchers at the University of British Columbia have developed an antibacterial coating consisting of

tiny copper and zinc particles.The nanostructures are tiny bumps that can kill bacteria by tearing their cell wall. Zinc, which like copper has antimicrobial properties, is selectively oxidized in the presence of copper and helps kill bacteria faster than pure copper.

The researchers showed that the created materialit took just one hour to kill 99.7% of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. This is twice as fast as pure copper. It is this Gram-positive pathogen that causes the majority of nosocomial infections.

Scientists note that although modern formulations,made from pure copper, have antibacterial and self-disinfecting properties, they kill certain types of bacteria with thicker cell walls (Gram-positive bacteria) more slowly than bacteria with thinner cell walls (Gram-negative). 

This coating not only kills pathogens faster,than pure copper, but also helps maintain the effectiveness of antibiotics. Using the new formula, we kill pathogens before patients become infected and need antibiotics. This is how we slow down the growth of antibiotic resistance.

Amanda Clifford, head of research at the University of British Columbia

The developers believe that the use of the coatingcan significantly reduce the incidence of bacterial infections from frequently touched surfaces in healthcare facilities and other high traffic areas. Scientists have already registered a patent for the development and promise that the material will be available to hospitals in the near future.

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