inter-Sectoral Training for Research on the pathology and prevention of Indwelling Device associated infEctions

iSTRIDE will educate young scientists to develop innovative solutions to reduce the high incidence and mortality of Indwelling Device Associated Infections (IDAIs). IDAIs can be associated with urinary and intravenous catheters and cardiovascular devices, and result from microbial transfer and biofilm formation on the device surface. The clinical burden of IDAIs is significant and can be life threatening, while difficult to diagnose and to treat due to the high antibiotic tolerance of biofilm cells. While there are antimicrobial device coatings available, their effectiveness is limited. iSTRIDE’s first objective is to provide a platform for young scientists to pursue a highly inter disciplinary PhD training focused on translational skills towards a career in biomedical research and medical technology development. iSTRIDE’s second objective is to address the challenges of IDAIs by developing novel antimicrobial coatings for indwelling devices and improved diagnostic tools to monitor their efficacy, by building on realistic IDAI models that represent all aspects of infection. iSTRIDE relies on a carefully selected inter-sectoral project consortium (six hospitals, one research institute, seven universities and three industrial partners) that crosses disciplinary borders (microbiology, material sciences and diagnostic technology). The iSTRIDE training programme is structured so that each DC will work on the interface of at least two of these disciplines via the host lab and secondments. The consortium includes expertise from the clinical, engineering, polymer chemistry, microbiology, soft matter engineering and cell biology domains, and involves companies active in advanced diagnostics and the medical device industry. Partner organisations from different regions of Europe will provide clinical samples, and each DC will experience a secondment at a hospital to gain awareness of the clinical context of their work.