Biocompatible and antimicrobial coatings for silicone

A new method developed by scientists at the University of Iceland, intended to prevent serious infections on the surface of silicon implants and artificial joints, was the overall winning entry in the annual competition for the Science and Innovation Prizes, which took place in the University Aula in middle of May 2022. The team have applied for a patent for the technology, which was developed in collaboration with the companies Össur and Primex.

The project aims to launch a new start-up company to develop antimicrobial and biocompatible coatings for silicone implants and prostheses.

Silicone products have an important role in healthcare due to their biocompatibility. A few examples include prostheses, medical tubing, contact lenses, artificial heart valves, dental products, and implants. However, silicone is prone to bacterial and fungal colonization and biofilm formation. Infections can prolong the hospital stay, increasing the substantial financial burden and can also be life threatening for the patient. Furthermore, multi-drug-resistant pathogens make the treatment of these infections challenging.

Silicone is also used in implants for cosmetic reconstruction. In general, the experience with such implants is good, but in some cases, there can be an issue with scar tissue formation, called fibrosis. The company would provide technology solutions to manufacturers of medical devices, prostheses, and cosmetic products to facilitate the development of new products that are resistant to bacterial colonization and are more biocompatible when implanted into the human body.

Vivien Nagy and Már Másson, the people behind the project, with Jón Atli Benediktssyni rector.