Open Philanthropy recommended a grant of $895,000 over three years to the University of Notre Dame to support work led by Professor Ana Flores-Mireles on developing a catheter design that is resistant to biofilms. The new design would prevent the catheter from protecting microbes on its surface from antibiotics, reducing the incidence of bladder infections. In addition to the direct health benefits, Open Philanthropy believes that a biofilm-resistant catheter design could help reduce antimicrobial resistance if approved and widely used.
This work will be done in collaboration with Professor Caitlin Howell at the University of Maine, whom Open Philanthropy is also supporting.
This falls within Open Philanthropy’s focus area of scientific research, specifically within its interest in advancing human health and wellbeing.