Biofilms are communities of microorganisms that interact with surfaces, and are known to display unique properties that differentiate them from free-floating, individual microorganisms. While biofilms are widespread and play many positive roles in all environments, they are also difficult to eradicate when adhered to surfaces in medical and industrial settings.
We use genetics, genomics, molecular biology, and various in vitro and in vivo biofilm models to better understand biofilm-associated functions used by commensal and pathogenic bacteria. We also attempt to translate our fundamental approaches into relevant anti-biofilm strategies in collaboration with clinicians and industrial partners.
Létoffé S, Wu Y, Darch SE, Beloin C, Whiteley M, Touqui L, Ghigo JM#, (2022) Pseudomonas aeruginosa production of hydrogen cyanide leads to airborne control of S. aureus growth in biofilm and in vivo lungs environments. mBio, in press.
Yoshida M, Mayer L, Thiriet-Rupert S.; Beloin, C# and JM Ghigo# (2022). Selection for non-specific adhesion is a driver of FimH evolution increasing Escherichia coli biofilm capacity. µLife. Volume 3, 2022, uqac001, https://doi.org/10.1093/femsml/uqac001
Bechon N, Mihajlovic J, Lopes A.A, Sol Vendrell-Fernandez S; Deschamps J, Briandet R, Sismeiro O, Martin-Verstraete I, Dupuy B and JM Ghigo# .(2022) . Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron uses a widespread extracellular DNase to promote bile-dependent biofilm formation. P.N.A.S. Feb 15;119(7):e2111228119. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2111228119.
Jerzy Witwinowski, Anna Sartori-Rupp, Najwa Taib, Nika Pende, To Nam Tham, Daniel Poppleton, Jean-Marc Ghigo, Christophe Beloin#, Simonetta Gribaldo# . (2022) An ancient divide in outer membrane tethering systems in Bacteria/ Nature Microbiology Mar;7(3):411-422. doi: 10.1038/s41564-022-01066-3.#co-corresponding authors
CATH-GE – a new conservative treatment to eradicate biofilms on catheters
We developed and validated in vitro and in vivo an anti-biofilm lock Gentamicin-EDTA solution which protects central venous catheters (implantable chambers of the port-a-cath type). Although this approach could not be used for systemic administration, it would prevent the removal and the current systematic replacement of these specific and widely used medical devices in particularly fragile patients.
In collaboration with David Lebeaux (HEGP hospital), the pharmacy of the E. Herriot hospital, Lyon and the CRT, we developed a clinical study project and we are pleased to announce that, after completing all the administrative and ethical steps required to submit the project to the ANSM, we have just received the authorization to start the CATH-GE clinical trial. The recruitment of the first patients will start in HEGP in January. The recruitments in Mondor and Saint-Louis hospitals should follow soon after, if the covid-19 situation allows.
