Scientists at the University of Nottingham have discovered that patterned plastic surfaces can significantly reduce bacterial growth by preventing biofilm formation. These grooves trick bacteria into stopping their spread, offering a promising way to prevent infections on medical devices like catheters without relying on antimicrobial drugs.

Published in Nature Communications, the study shows that when bacteria contact these specially designed surfaces, they lose their ability to form protective biofilms—slimy layers that shield them from the body’s immune system. By disrupting biofilm formation, infections can be halted early, allowing the immune system to clear any remaining bacteria more effectively.

Figure 1. Microscopic Surface Patterns Block Bacterial Growth

The study was led by Professor Paul Williams from the School of Life Sciences, in collaboration with Professor Morgan Alexander from the School of Pharmacy and researchers from the School of Computer Science at the University of Nottingham, along with Jan DeBoer in the Netherlands. The research was funded by the EPSRC and the Wellcome Trust. Figure 1 shows Microscopic Surface Patterns Block Bacterial Growth.

The Hidden Risk of Plastic Medical Devices

Many medical implants like catheters and breathing tubes are made from plastic and widely used in hospitals. However, when bacteria attach to these plastic surfaces and form biofilms, they become extremely hard to treat with antibiotics. To tackle this issue, researchers have tried incorporating antibiotics and antimicrobial agents directly into the plastic materials.

In this new study, the team screened over 2,000 designs across various plastics, including polyurethane—a common material for medical devices—and identified specific surface patterns that effectively prevent biofilm formation.

A Surface Strategy to Halt Bacterial Growth

On the most effective anti-biofilm pattern, researchers found that tiny crevices in the raised surface features trap bacterial cells and trigger them to produce a lubricant. This response prevents the bacteria from sticking to the plastic, effectively stopping biofilm formation and allowing the body’s immune system to clear the infection more easily.

Professor Paul Williams, a molecular microbiology expert, explained: “Using antibiotics on medical devices has drawbacks, including the risk of antibiotic resistance. We wanted to take a different approach—designing simple surface patterns on materials like those used in catheters that bacteria dislike and can't form biofilms on."

The team tested over 2,000 different surface shapes against various bacterial species. With the help of machine learning, they identified which patterns best prevented biofilm growth and then investigated why certain bacteria reacted negatively to those specific designs.

“Our findings could help reduce the high rate of infections linked to medical devices in healthcare settings,” said the researchers. “This approach not only prevents bacteria from sticking but may also stimulate the body’s immune system to eliminate any that do attach.”

Professor Morgan Alexander, who specializes in controlling cell behavior using polymer surfaces, added, “Physically patterned surfaces offer an advantage over coating methods—they can be applied to existing device materials, making them easier to commercialize [1]. This discovery could lead to significant cost savings for the NHS.”

The team now hopes to build on their work through ongoing UKRI funding, aiming to apply their findings to real-world medical devices in partnership with medical device manufacturers.

References:

1. https://scitechdaily.com/revolutionary-material-maze-could-prevent-bacterial-infections/

Cite this article:

Janani R (2025), Revolutionary “Material Maze” May Help Prevent Bacterial Infections, AnaTechMaz, pp. 442