MRSA-Killing Paint Created

Scientists at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has developed a high tech paint that safely kills MRSA. This special paint was developed for use on surgical equipment, hospital walls, and other surfaces. When MRSA touches this special coating, it dies preventing the main way this germ travels from one person to another (which is by contact). 100 percent of MRSA in contact with this special paint were killed within 20 minutes.

The paint contains a naturally occurring enzyme called lysostaphin contained within carbon nanotubes. This compound can be mixed into ordinary house paint before application.

Unlike other antimicrobial coatings, it is toxic only to MRSA, does not rely on antibiotics, and does not leach chemicals into the environment or become clogged over time. It can be washed repeatedly without losing effectiveness and has a dry storage shelf life of up to six months.

Reference:
Antistaphylococcal nanocomposite films based on enzyme-nanotube conjugates. ACS Nano. 2010 Jul 27;4(7):3993-4000.