Msc in Biochemistry Dissertation Project – 2nd Cycle

MSc in Biochemistry

Dissertation Project – 2nd Cycle

Student´s Name:

Student email address: No.

Supervisor(s): Ana Francisca Bettencourt/Luisa Jordão

Supervisor(s) email address: [e-mail]; [e-mail]

Lab/Institution: Lab CBT (Chemical Biological and Toxicological Group), Instituto de Investigação do Medicamento-iMed.ULisboa, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon/ National Institute of Health Dr Ricardo Jorge, Environmental Health Department, Research and Development Unit.

TITLE: Orthopaedic bone cements: evaluation of microbiological effects




Novel bone cements matrices loaded with antibiotics (e.g. minocycline, levofloxacin) are being investigated by our group to treat orthopedic implant-related staphylococcal infections [1,2]. The modified bone cement matrices must be evaluated concerning drug release in simulated body fluids. Composition of these simulated fluids as protein content is of utmost importance in what concern drug release profiles as well as its anti-microbiological activity.

Furthermore, the modified bone cement matrices loaded with antibiotics must be evaluated concerning their microbiological activity against planktonic and sessile bacteria. These in vitro microbiological assays must include different tests in order to fully address the therapeutic activity of the bone cements

Thus, this project aims the assessment of in vitro release profile of different antibiotics from orthopaedic bone cements as well as the microbiological evaluation (antibacterial activity and preventing biofilm assembly) of the novel developed bone cement matrices.

[1] Matos A. et al (2014). Minocycline-loaded acrylic bone cement – in vitro release, biochemical and biological assessment. J. Mater. Science and Eng: C. 38: 218–226. [2] Matos et al (2015). Novel doped calcium phosphate-PMMA bone cement composites as levofloxacin delivery systems. Int. J. Pharm. 25;490(1-2):200-8.

1] Matos Ana, Gonçalves L.M., Rijo P., Vaz M.A., Almeida A.J., Bettencourt A.F. (2014). Minocycline-loaded acrylic bone cement – in vitro release, biochemical and biological assessment. J. Mater. Science and Eng: C. 38: 218–226.
BACKGROUND

OBJECTIVES


This project aims to characterize the release profiles and microbiological activity of antibiotic loaded bone cements. Specifically:

1. 
   Characterize drug release profiles in different body fluids
   
2. 
   Evaluate bone cements interaction with sessile and biofilm organized bacteria.
   

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

1. 
   
   The MsC thesis will include the following tasks
   
   1. 
      Literature review and planning of the experimental protocols.
      
   1. 
      Production of the cements (plain and loaded with antibiotics).
      
   2. 
      Characterization of the drug release profiles.
      
   3. 
      General microbiological technical approaches, learning basic procedures for working with bacteria.
      
   4. 
      Microbiological assays.
      
   
   4.1) Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) for sessile and biofilm organized bacteria

   4.2) Minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBC) for sessile and biofilm organized bacteria

   
   
   4.2) Biofilm assembly on cements
   
   5. 
      Thesis writing.
      
   
   

TIMELINE (use fill tool for the cells)

	Month 1	Month 2	Month 3	Month 4	Month 5	Month 6	Month 7	Month 8	Month 9	Month 10
Task 1
Task 2
Task 3
Task 4
Thesis