Biofilm-inhibiting chemical protects surfaces: red alga

1 of 1 Delisea / Peter Steinb.. / License

Delisea pulchra protects itself from bacterial infection by exuding compounds that inhibit biofilms.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Maintain physical integrity >
	Protect from biotic factors >
	Microbes

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Anti-fouling products, anti-bacterial materials and coatings, water treatment applications, cleaning products, anti-corrosive for oil and gas pipelines, drug candidate for treatment of lung infections.

[Collapse all sections] Summary

The red seaweed Delisea pulchra effectively avoids a broad spectrum of bacterial infections without breeding any bacterial resistance to its defensive chemistry. Molecules known as furanones produced by the seaweed bind readily to the specific protein-covered bacterial receptor sites that receive the bacterial signaling molecules (N-acyl homoserine lactone) that normally induce surface colonization. This method of blocking bacterial communication effectively prevents bacteria from forming groups and becoming virulent, but does not physically kill them. Over 80% of bacterial infections in humans are estimated to involve the formation of bacterial colonies, or biofilms, while numerous other potential applications for this completely novel anti-bacterial technology exist. BioSignal Ltd. is now testing and/or already applying synthetic furanones based on those produced by Delisea pulchra in a variety of applications, including medical treatment and devices; pipelines; heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems; cleaning products; and water treatment.

Excerpt

About the inspiring organism

Red alga
Delisea pulchra (Greville) Montagne

IUCN Red List Status: Unknown
Habitat(s): Marine Neritic

Some organism data provided by: AlgaeBase
Organism/taxonomy data provided by:
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2008 Annual Checklist

Bioinspired products and application ideas

Application Ideas: Anti-fouling products, anti-bacterial materials and coatings, water treatment applications, cleaning products, anti-corrosive for oil and gas pipelines, drug candidate for treatment of lung infections.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Industrial, building, medical, pharmacological

Biosignal® Products - Biofilm control technology

Experts

Centre for Marine Bio-Innovation
Peter Steinberg
Faculty of Science, University of New South Wales

References

Dworjanyn, S. A.; de Nys, R.; Steinberg, P. D. 2006. Chemically mediated antifouling in the red alga Delisea pulchra. Mar Ecol Prog Ser. 318: 153-163.

Maximilien, R.; de Nys, R.; Holmström, C.; Gram, L.; Givskov, M. C.; Crass, K.; Kjelleberg, S.; Steinberg, P. 1998. Chemical mediation of bacterial surface colonisation by secondary metabolites from the red alga Delisea pulchra. Aquatic Microbiology Ecology. 15: 233-246.

Wright, J. T.; de Nys, R.; Steinberg, P. D. 2000. Geographic variation in halogenated furanones from the red alga Delisea pulchra and associated herbivores and epiphytes. Marine Ecology Progress Series. 207: 227-241.

Rasmussen, T. B.; Manefield, M.; Andersen, J. B.; Eberl, L.; Anthoni, U.; Christophersen, C.; Steinberg, P.; Kjelleberg, S.; Givskov, M. 2000. How Delisea pulchra furanones affect quorum sensing and swarming motility in Serratia liquefaciens MG1. Soc General Microbiol. 3237-3244 p.

Manefield, M.; de Nys, R.; Kumar, N.; Read, R.; Givskov, M.; Steinberg, P.; Kjelleberg, S. 1999. Evidence that halogenated furanones from Delisea pulchra inhibit acylated homoserine lactone (AHL)-mediated gene expression by displacing the AHL signal from its receptor protein [In Process Citation]. Microbiology. 145(2): 283-291.

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Comments

what an interesting phenomenon!

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