ESR-5 Mark Grevsen Martinet

Universitätsklinikum Jena, Germany

Development and validation of a clinical MBEC assay for individualization of biofilm associated infections

Biofilms are the preferred life-form of microorganism protecting the microbes against antimicrobial treatment and the immune response and resulting in life threatening infections. In this project, biofilms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, one of the most critical pathogens in cystic fibrosis (CF), will be addressed. The minimum concentration to eradicate a P. aeruginosa biofilm (MBEC) may be up to 1,000 times higher than the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) determined through routine microbiological diagnosis for planktonic bacteria. In this project, the correlation of the MBEC of the respective isolate and the patient outcome will be investigated in order to assess evidence if a personalized biofilm-diagnostic may improve the therapy in CF-patients. To do so, retrospective isolates will be investigated and then statistically correlated with patient data. Additionally, alternative CF-therapies will be tested against the isolates to proof if strain-specific variability exists. In collaboration with the Leiden University (Netherlands), the clinical and preclinical data will be used for mathematical modelling in the CF system model.

Supervisors: Dr. Oliwia Makarewicz

Institution Email: Mark.Martinet@med.uni-jena.de

Interests and Hobbies: bacteriophage therapy, socialising, rugby, gaming, gardening (chili), cooking, history of science

 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-grevsen-martinet-30b547b8/