Exploring the Effect of Polymer Surface Roughness on Candida Biofilm Development

Abstract

The prevalence of infections associated with indwelling medical devices is a growing concern, often attributed to microbial biofilm formation. These biofilms, particularly those involving Candida species, exhibit resistance to conventional antimicrobial treatments, leading to recurrent infections and potential device removal. This study investigates a novel approach to hinder Candida albicans biofilm formation and attachment on cyclic olefin copolymer (COC). COC has gained recognition as a noteworthy material in biotechnology owing to its excellent properties. The research focuses on two distinct surface patterns, rectangles, and squares, created through direct laser photolithography process on a COC surface. These surface topographies are swelling based caused by immersing them in an alkane hydrocarbon, altering their topography. The wettability of these patterned surfaces was examined before and after plasma treatment. The results reveal directional wettability in the rectangle pattern and size-dependent wettability in both square and rectangle pattern. To assess the efficacy of the swelling-based topography in preventing biofilm formation, Candida albicans was cultured on these surfaces. The study demonstrates that both the rectangle and square patterns inhibit biofilm formation, providing a promising strategy for mitigating Candida-associated infections on medical devices. The research sheds light on the potential of surface modification techniques to enhance the biocompatibility of medical devices and reduce the risk of biofilm-related infections.

Date of Award	6 May 2024
Original language	American English
Supervisor	ANAS Alazzam (Supervisor)