An antibacterial system to prevent the risk of infection associated with implants  

Despite the progress made by modern medicine in implant placement, the risk of infection remains for some patients. While these infections are difficult to diagnose and treat, Prof. Dr. Katharina Fromm, Department of Chemistry, has developed an antibacterial system to treat implant surfaces and thus prevent the risk of infection. Indeed, the reduced physico-chemical qualities of implants allow particularly dangerous bacteria to settle more easily. Known for its antibacterial properties, silver particles are of great interest when placing implants. Thanks to this system, an innovative binder allows the appropriate dose of silver to be released continuously for 2 to 3 months. This is the critical period to ensure a healthy and rapid recovery. In collaboration with the TechTransfer of the University of Fribourg, this technology has attracted the interest of a leading Swiss company in the orthopaedic parts market. This professional service supported Prof. Dr. Fromm in his search for partners, in his negotiations and in the establishment of patents and contracts.

Contact: katharina.fromm@unifr.ch

Interuniversity collaboration in oncology

Of crucial importance for research and particularly in oncology, mouse models make it possible to study in depth the role of specific molecules in the formation and progression of cancers. The laboratory of Prof. Dr. Rüegg of the Department of Medicine of the University of Fribourg, used an experimental breast cancer model developed in Fribourg, to test new therapeutic molecules resulting from the research of Prof. Dr. Imhof of the University of Geneva. The results of these experiments have shown a strong inhibition of tumor growth and spread by this molecule, and will be published jointly. The services of TechTransfer Fribourg and Geneva made it possible to effectively develop a collaboration contract between the two professors for this project.

Contact: curzio.ruegg@unifr.ch, Beat.Imhof@unige.ch

Machines at the service of humans

The development of new technologies to increase and improve interactions between humans and the machines that surround them is at the heart of the activity of the Human-IST Institute, attached to the Faculties of Science, Letters and Economic and Social Sciences of the University of Fribourg. At the head of this new interdisciplinary entity, based on skills in computer science, psychology and sociology, Professor Denis Lalanne is involved in several collaborative projects with external companies. These projects aim to change the relationship between humans and their environment. For example, in collaboration with the mobility lab and CarPostal, Human-IST is studying and improving the interactions between autonomous shuttles and pedestrians, as part of the "SmartShuttle" project being tested in Sion. Several projects related to the interaction between humans and buildings are also underway, notably in collaboration with Logitech and smartlivinglab.ch. The analysis of human interactions with their environment aims to develop technologies to increase their comfort, and more generally their well-being and productivity, and represents the central point of these innovative approaches.

Contact: Prof. Denis Lalanne, University of Fribourg, denis.lalanne@unifr.ch

Presentation of Marco Capogrosso and the Ambizione project

Since November 2016, Marco Capogrosso and his team have been working on the Ambizione project, which aims to restore arm and hand movements in people with spinal cord injuries. To achieve this, a computational and experimental framework has been developed at the University of Fribourg. The Fribourg laboratory uses the latest technology to test the set of tools for the cervical spinal cord in monkeys. Thanks to a first electrode implanted in the animal's brain and a second one below the lesion, the signal emanating from the motor cortex is relayed beyond the wound and allows the restoration of movement. This applied research project is spread over 3 years and is now approaching clinical trials. Swiss companies such as G-Therapeutics may soon use the results of experiments on monkeys to produce the technology necessary for the clinical use of the techniques developed in collaboration with the University of Fribourg and the Wyss center in Geneva, which facilitates the laboratory-industry transition.

Contact: Ph.D Marco Capogrosso, Research group leader, SNSF Ambizione Fellow, University of Fribourg, marco.capogrosso@unifr.ch

Bacteria: precious microorganisms

Bacteria, microscopic living organisms, are present in all environments and participate strongly in the biological equilibrium of the human being and the surface of the earth. They are at the origin of fundamental chemical transformations during the biogeochemical processes responsible for the cycle of the elements on the planet.  More numerous in the human body than the cells, bacteria are mostly harmless or beneficial to the body. These bacteria are research topics of two professors of the University of Fribourg: Prof. Foubert of the Department of Geosciences and Prof. Nordmann, Director of the Microbiology Chair.

Microbes and carbonates: a tight interaction

Our seafloor and the subsurface extending deep in the ocean sediments and rocks are characterized by a diverse and unique biosphere. The microbial flora that it includes, is composed of pervasive bacterial communities and archaea. The tight interaction between bacterial cells, their metabolic activities and the environment, including fuel carbonate precipitation, influences global biogeochemical cycles and even drive the production and destruction of hydrocarbons. Prof. Foubert studies the mechanisms by which microbes form carbonates at the seafloor, on the surface of the earth and within the deep subsurface. Microbial precipitation of carbonates in natural environments can be mimicked for several biotechnological applications such as carbon sequestration, enhanced oil recovery and construction restorations. For example, as part of technology transfer with an international oil company, Professor Foubert studies the mode of formation of microbial-mediated seep carbonates and how their presence can be used as a prediction tool for hydrocarbon reservoirs.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Development of a rapid diagnostic test for multi-resistance to bacteria

In order to cure animal infections, it is common to prescribe antibiotics to livestock. The bacteria of the animals, including those beneficial to the organism, then develop resistances to these antibiotics. These resistance genes can be transmitted to humans in various ways: either by the consumption of meat or milk, by contamination of the soil by excreta or mainly by physical contact. The people’s bacteria can therefore resist antibiotics especially in their intestinal flora. This means that in the event of serious illness, antibiotics of last resort become ineffective.

Together with ELITechGroup Microbiology, Prof. Nordmann has developed a rapid resistance diagnostic test to one of the antibiotics : colistin. This antibioticum still remains effective on multiresistant bacteria. This test, Rapid Polymyxin NP (Nordmann / Poirel), makes it possible to detect polymyxin resistance in countries for which polymyxins are medicines of last resort, confronted with the endemic spread of carbapenemase producers (enzymes that destroy penicillins in the widest spectrum, carbapenems). This test also allows the rapid identification of carriers of polymyxin-resistant isolates throughout the world, leading to the rapid implementation of adequate hygiene measures to control their spread.