PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY ASSOCIATED WITH ENZYMATIC DEGRADATION OF THE POLYMER EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX OF BACTERIAL BIOFILM

• Grant number: 24/16987-3
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: June 01, 2025
• End date: May 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Applied Microbiology
• Principal Investigator: Carla Raquel Fontana
• Grantee: Carla Raquel Fontana
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCFAR). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Igor Polikarpov

Abstract

Bacterial biofilms are present in various environments, including those of medical importance. They hinder the action of antimicrobials, making members of this community more resistant. The microorganisms usually isolated from periodontal disease samples are known for their ability to form biofilms, which makes their treatment difficult. The main components of the polymeric extracellular matrix of bacterial biofilms in most cases are polysaccharides, and, with this in mind, one strategy for the destruction of these biofilms would be the use of enzymes from the glycoside hydrolase (GH) class. Thus, the objective of this project is to evaluate the action of glycoside hydrolase enzymes on biofilms of bacteria isolated from a periodontal disease sample and identified through next-generation sequencing, both in inhibiting the formation and in the degradation of the pre-formed biofilm. . The combined action of enzymes with antimicrobials and enzymes with photodynamic therapy will also be evaluated, aiming not only at biofilm degradation, but also at inhibiting the growth of bacterial cells present there. In this way, it is expected to contribute to the development of new therapies that preserve the effectiveness of currently available antimicrobials. (AU)