Antibacterial Properties of Bioactive Glass
Relevant Publications
Westenberg, D.J., *Viswanathan, R., *Kadyk, D.L., *Hibbs, S. *Kopel, J., and D. Day. 2021. Evaluation of Three Borate-Bioactive Glass Compositions for Antibacterial Applications. Adv. Microbiol. 11(11):646-656
Ottomeyer, M., Mohammadkah, A., Day, D., and D.J. Westenberg. 2016. Broad-Spectrum Antibacterial Characteristics of Four Novel Borate-Based Bioactive Glasses. Adv. Microbiol. 6:776-787
Another research focus in the laboratory is a collaboration with colleagues in Ceramic Engineering who are developing bioactive glass for bone and tissue repair. Students in my lab are studying the antibacterial properties of these glass formulations and the mechanism underlying the inhibition of bacterial growth. Using a large collection of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, several with clinical relevance, we are exploring the broad-spectrum antibacteterial activity of different glass formulations with different additions of antibacterial agents. We have developed a number of assays to asses viability and specific types of damage to bacterial cells. We are also interested in the ability of these materials to inhibit the growth of biofilms on medical devices.
This is a collaborative project with Dr. Delbert Day of the Materials Research Center, Center for Bone and Tissue Repair and Regeneration and the Ceramic Engineering Department at Missouri S&T. We are testing the antimicrobial properties of various glass and polymer material laced with antimicrobial compounds. At the moment, we are working with materials laced with silver – a potent antimicrobial metal. The antimicrobial glasses and polymers have many potential uses in the prevention of hospital acquired infections by inhibiting the growth of organisms at the site of surgical wounds or in indwelling medical devices such as catheters.
Other Antibacterial Treatments and Processes
Relevant Publications
Lamba, A., Kopel, J., Westenberg, D.J., and S. Kapila. 2023 “A qualitative investigation of volatile organic components of antimicrobial oil smoke vapors” Adv. Microbiol. 13(1): 76-87 https://doi.org/10.4236/aim.2023.131005
Lamba, A., Kopel, J., Westenberg, D.J., and S. Kapila. 2023 “Fatty Acids, Esters, and Biogenic Oil Disinfectants: Novel Agents against Bacteria” Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings https://doi.org/10.1080/08998280.2023.2167191
Ramamurthy, S., Kopel, J., Westenberg, D.J., and S. Kapila. 2022 An Initial Report of the antimicrobial activities of volatiles produced during rapid volatilization of oils. Antibiotics 11:1742. https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11121742
Yucelen, G. I., *Connell, R. E., Terbush, J. R., Westenberg, D. J. and F. Dogan. 2015 Synthesis and immobilization of silver nanoparticles on aluminosilicate nanotubes and their antibacterial properties. J Applied Nanoscience, 6: 607-614
The work on bioactive glass has led to further collaborations with colleagues in Chemistry and Chemical and Biochemical Engineering to investigate other antibacterial processes.
A fascinating series of projects resulted from the chance observation that oil smoke vapors had antibacterial properties. We initially set out to use the Ames Mutagenesis Assay to compare the relative safety of generating obscurant smoke using renewable oils such as soybean oil instead of petroleum based oil smokes. These obscurant smokes are used the the military to mask troop movements. These experiments led to the observation that oil smoke vapors had broad-spectrum antibacterial properties and led to three MS thesis in my lab, three publications, and two patent disclosures.