# Silver Carboxylate-Eluting Titanium Dioxide/Polydimethyl Siloxane Antibiotic-Independent Antimicrobial Coating as a Safe and Efficacious Alternative for Antibiotic Resistance

> **NIH NIH R03** · RHODE ISLAND HOSPITAL · 2021 · $81,709

## Abstract

Project Summary
Introduction: Antibiotic resistance has forced clinicians and researchers into a race to find antimicrobial
alternative strategies to improve patient outcomes. Surgical site infections (SSIs) are particularly difficult due to
treat and prevent due to the exposure to the non-sterile external environment. To address current antimicrobial
needs, we propose to evaluate a novel and pharmacologically-predictable antimicrobial technology composed
of a silver carboxylate eluting matrix of titanium dioxide (TiO2) and polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS). This
antimicrobial formulation utilizes the multi-modal antimicrobial properties of silver to treat bacterial
infections regardless of antibiotic resistance, without the toxicity of previous formulations. We
hypothesize silver carboxylate will be efficacious against drug-resistant pathogens with no local
toxicity to primary cell types involved in wound healing.
Significance: The extensive use of implantable devices has accentuated the need for new technologies as
periprosthetic infections cost billions of dollars to healthcare and significant patient disability. The rise in
antibiotic resistance and lack of novel antibiotics create a significant worldwide problem. In contrast to the
single mechanism of antibiotic action, silver has multiple antimicrobial mechanisms that are difficult for bacteria
to counteract, thus limiting potential for resistance and providing a viable alternative to resistant strains.
Innovation: The proposed chemistry shows improved penetration into the cell wall of bacteria, while
controlling rate of release and bioavailability via the customizable TiO2/PDMS matrix. We hypothesize this new
chemistry will decrease toxicity associated with unpredictable concentrations and prolonged presence of
clinically used broad spectrum and “last resort” antibiotics. Previous research on this technology has focused
on prevention of bacterial adherence on spinal implants, prosthetic liners, and sutures. Over a dozen bacterial
and fungal pathogens have been tested with considerable levels of antimicrobial activities from 24 to 72 hours.
Research Plan: We propose 2 specific aims which will: 1) Provide Evidence of Silver Carboxylate’s Low
Cytotoxicity in Primary Cell Lines Involved in Wound Healing using the cell metabolic activity assay MTT,
LDH, Necrosis and Apoptosis. 2) Quantify Silver Carboxylate’s Potency against Commonly-Encountered
Antibiotic-Resistant Pathogen via dose-response curves and Kirby Bauer Assays. Proposed aims will
provide additional data on the efficacy of the chemistry against bacteria regardless of gram designation or
antimicrobial resistance while showing low toxicity against cells involved in wound healing. This data will be
utilized to pursue an R01 grant which will focus on determining the mechanism of action of silver carboxylate,
penetrance into biofilms, as well as activity against biofilm persister cells.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10195607
- **Project number:** 1R03AI159776-01
- **Recipient organization:** RHODE ISLAND HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Dioscaris Garcia
- **Activity code:** R03 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $81,709
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-03-17 → 2023-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10195607

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10195607, Silver Carboxylate-Eluting Titanium Dioxide/Polydimethyl Siloxane Antibiotic-Independent Antimicrobial Coating as a Safe and Efficacious Alternative for Antibiotic Resistance (1R03AI159776-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10195607. Licensed CC0.

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