A novel injectable, non-antibiotic hydrogel with antimicrobial and bone-regenerative properties for the treatment of fracture-related bone infections.

Antimicrobial resistance is one of the major challenges facing modern healthcare and complicates the treatment of fracture-related bone infections (FRIs). Currently used antibiotic-loaded biomaterials may contribute to the development of resistant microorganisms, are not always effective in fully eradicating biofilms, and provide insufficient support for the regeneration of damaged bone tissue.

The BoneART project is developing a hydrogel that provides local antimicrobial activity without the use of antibiotics while simultaneously promoting bone regeneration. The solution is designed to combine effective infection control with support for bone healing, thereby reducing the need for high doses of antibiotics and repeated surgical interventions.

The project aims to develop a sterile, dual-syringe injectable hydrogel with a validated laboratory protocol, demonstrate its antimicrobial activity and bone-regeneration potential in vitro, and prepare an intellectual property and technology development roadmap for further preclinical research. The solution has the potential to help mitigate the risk of antimicrobial resistance, shorten patient recovery time, and reduce healthcare costs. 

Project Team

• Prof. Kristīne Šalma-Ancāne
• Igors Terjajevs
• Asoc. prof. Ingus Skadiņš
• Artemijs Ščeglovs
• Kristīne Čapase-Jastržembska
• Anna Rubīna