Fulaz, Stephanie

Thumbnail Image
Preferred name
Fulaz, Stephanie
Official Name
Fulaz, Stephanie

Research Output

Filters

2
11
Reset filters

Settings

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Publication
    Nanoparticle–Biofilm Interactions: The Role of the EPS Matrix
    (Elsevier, 2019-11)
    Fulaz, Stephanie 
    ;
    Vitale, Stefania 
    ;
    Quinn, Laura 
    ;
    Casey, Eoin 
    The negative consequences of biofilms are widely reported. A defining feature of biofilms is the extracellular matrix, a complex mixture of biomacromolecules, termed EPS, which contributes to reduced antimicrobial susceptibility. EPS targeting is a promising, but underexploited, approach to biofilm control allowing disruption of the matrix and thereby increasing the susceptibility to antimicrobials. Nanoparticles (NPs) can play a very important role as ’carriers’ of EPS matrix disruptors, and several approaches have recently been proposed. In this review, we discuss the application of nanoparticles as antibiofilm technologies with a special emphasis on the role of the EPS matrix in the physicochemical regulation of the nanoparticle–biofilm interaction. We highlight the use of nanoparticles as a platform for a new generation of antibiofilm approaches.
      93Scopus© Citations 309
  • Publication
    Tailoring Nanoparticle-Biofilm Interactions to Increase the Efficacy of Antimicrobial Agents Against Staphylococcus aureus
    (Dove Medical Press, 2020-07-07)
    Fulaz, Stephanie 
    ;
    Devlin, Henry 
    ;
    Vitale, Stefania 
    ;
    Quinn, Laura 
    ;
    O'Gara, James P. 
    ;
    Casey, Eoin 
    Background: Considering the timeline required for the development of novel antimicrobial drugs, increased attention should be given to repurposing old drugs and improving anti-microbial efficacy, particularly for chronic infections associated with biofilms. Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) are common causes of biofilm-associated infections but produce different biofilm matrices.MSSA biofilm cells are typically embedded in an extracellular polysaccharide matrix, whereas MRSA biofilms comprise predominantly of surface proteins and extracellular DNA (eDNA). Nanoparticles (NPs) have the potential to enhance the delivery of antimicro-bial agents into biofilms. However, the mechanisms which influence the interactions between NPs and the biofilm matrix are not yet fully understood. Methods:To investigate the influence of NPs surface chemistry on vancomycin (VAN) encapsulation and NP entrapment in MRSA and MSSA biofilms, mesoporous silica nano-particles (MSNs) with different surface functionalization (bare-B, amine-D, carboxyl-C,aromatic-A) were synthesised using an adapted Stöber method. The antibacterial efficacy of VAN-loaded MSNs was assessed against MRSA and MSSA biofilms. Results: The two negatively charged MSNs (MSN-B and MSN-C) showed a higher VAN loading in comparison to the positively charged MSNs (MSN-D and MSN-A). Cellular binding with MSN suspensions (0.25 mg mL−1) correlated with the reduced viability of both MSSA andMRSA biofilm cells. This allowed the administration of low MSNs concentrations while maintaining a high local concentration of the antibiotic surrounding the bacterial cells. Conclusion: Our data suggest that by tailoring the surface functionalization of MSNs,enhanced bacterial cell targeting can be achieved, leading to a novel treatment strategy for biofilm infections.
      190Scopus© Citations 34