Material developer Lucideon has been joined by five researchers from Germany who will develop new antibacterial materials at its Stoke-on-Trent base.

The students are from the Institute of Biomaterials, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen in Nuremberg.

Lucideon is one of nine companies, clinics and universities involved in the HyMedPoly project “Drug-Free Antibacterial Hybrid Biopolymers for Medical Applications”, a collaboration training PhD researchers in the development of drug-free antibacterial materials used for medical applications, such as wound care and implants.

The project is funded under the European Commission Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Networks programme.

Stuart Maclachlan, head of research and development at Lucideon and the HyMedPoly project manager, said:

“It’s great to have the researchers at Lucideon and to see them settling into their projects. They’re learning new skills working with our materials development teams and they’re bringing a lot to the company too.

“HyMedPoly covers a vital area of research. Infection has become one of the toughest problems in the medical world. As bacteria become more resistant to drugs and there are fewer effective antibiotics, new materials with intrinsic antibacterial properties have an important role.”

Lucideon has previously worked on developing antibacterial materials including an antimicrobial coating that has been applied to mobile devices for use in hospital environments.