Optical sensors for responsive implants

The development of peri-implant infections is associated with bacterial dysbiosis, a process characterized by a shift in the composition of bacterial biofilms with an increase in pathogenic bacterial species. Early detection of this dysbiosis (e.g., on the basis of changes in biofilm metabolism) is crucial for a successful therapy.

The aim of subproject B03 is to develop non-invasive optical sensors for the detection of bacterial dysbiosis on dental implants in an interdisciplinary collaboration of physics, chemistry, biology and medicine.

Different optical detection systems are to be developed: Fibre-optical chemo sensors (optrodes) will analyze the oxygen concentration and the pH value within the biofilms with the help of photo-luminescent dyes. At the same time, sensors based on ATR infrared spectroscopy (attenuated total reflection) will enable position-specific detection of biofilms on implant surfaces. For the evaluation of the sensors, the development of an adaptive oral multispecies biofilm model verified with clinical data is necessary, which simulates the shift in species composition in vitro. Furthermore, it will be analyzed whether and how miniaturization is possible in a microfluidic system. In the final step, all components will be combined and the biofilm growth will be analyzed with the help of the developed sensors.