Key points from article :
Scientists have developed an innovative skin patch that uses electrical pulses to prevent infections, potentially reducing the need for antibiotics. Developed by Bozhi Tian and his team at the University of Chicago, the patch targets Staphylococcus epidermidis, a common skin bacterium that can cause dangerous bloodstream infections if it enters the body, particularly after surgery. Although antibiotics can treat these infections, excessive use has led to antibiotic-resistant strains, prompting the search for alternative solutions.
The patch, a small square embedded with gold electrodes, emits mild electrical pulses that people can’t feel. When tested on pig skin covered with S. epidermidis, the patch zapped the skin for 10 seconds every 10 minutes over an 18-hour period. The results were promising: bacterial levels dropped 10-fold compared to control samples, and the patch disrupted the formation of biofilms—a bacterial layer linked to more severe infections.
Tian suggests that these patches could be made in any size, allowing for easy application to different wound areas, potentially preventing serious drug-resistant infections. Although this approach is promising, further research is needed to assess its impact on other skin bacteria and its effectiveness in live animal studies.
