Characterisation of bactericidal titanium surfaces using electron microscopy

With the number of surgical procedures involving titanium implants rising annually, the total number of patients that develop bacterial infections also increases. Prevention of such infections has become of key importance for ensuring a patient`s wellbeing and to reduce hospital costs. As antimicrobial resistance emerges as a global healthcare threat, we sought to tackle this issue via an alternative, non-drug based approach. Here we describe a novel, nanostructured titanium surface capable of killing bacteria in a physical, contact-dependent manner. Using Electron Microscopy (EM) methods we demonstrate that titanium nanostructures stretch bacterial cells upon contact, leading to envelope rupture and cell deformation.