Infection studies

Understanding the pathogenesis of musculoskeletal infection and developing customized interventions
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In vitro testing

  • Antimicrobial efficacy testing of anti-infective surfaces
  • Bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation on test materials
  • Imaging of test surfaces with or without bacteria/biofilm using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
  • Biobank of clinical bacterial isolates from patients with bone and implant infection

 

Animal models

  • Mouse, rat, rabbit, and sheep models of infection prevention
  • Rat, rabbit, and sheep models of infection treatment
  • Experience in working with antibiotic resistant pathogens (eg, MRSA)
  • Systemic and local application of antibiotics/antimicrobials histological preparation
  • Histological analysis of infected tissues with bacteria-specific staining

 

Analysis

  • Determining antimicrobial efficacy of specific devices or biomaterials
  • Quantitative bacteriological analysis of biological specimens including bone
  • Quantitative analysis of explanted hardware
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In vivo models of infection at ARI, l-r: mouse femoral plate, rabbit humeral nail, rabbit humeral LCP, rat tibial screw, sheep tibial nail

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Intraoperative image showing fixation of the humerus with an LCP in our rabbit model of fracture-related infection  
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False colored scanning electron micrograph of a biofilm formed by Staphylococcus aureus on implant surface, showing fibrin formation in red  

Qualifications

  • Microbiologists (PhDs) experienced in infection studies
  • PhD level scientists and experienced project leaders
  • Highly qualified technicians

Certification

  • ISO 9001:2015
  • Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)
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Contact

Ulrich Bentz

 

AO Research Institute Davos

Clavadelerstrasse 8

7270 Davos Platz

Switzerland

Tel.: +41 81 414 23 26

 

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Meet the team

Learn more about the staff of the AO Research Institute.