Maria Cristina Martins

Dr. Maria Cristina Martins

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

24Years (2003-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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1 April 2011 in Acta Biomaterialia
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
FCFabíola Costa
Fabíola Costa
IFIsabel Fidalgo-Carvalho
Isabel Fidalgo-Carvalho
RMRonald C. Montelaro
Ronald C. Montelaro
Paula GomesPaula Gomes
Paula Gomes
MMMaria Cristina Martins
Maria Cristina Martins
Bacterial adhesion to biomaterials remains a major problem in the medical devices field. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are well-known components of the innate immune system that can be applied to overcome biofilm-associated infections. Their relevance has been increasing as a practical alternative to conventional antibiotics, which are declining in effectiveness. The recent interest focused on these peptides can be explained by a group of special features, including a wide spectrum of activity, high efficacy at very low concentrations, target specificity, anti-endotoxin activity, synergistic action with classical antibiotics, and low propensity for developing resistance. Therefore, the development of an antimicrobial coating with such properties would be worthwhile. The immobilization of AMPs onto a biomaterial surface has further advantages as it also helps to circumvent AMPs' potential limitations, such as short half-life and cytotoxicity associated with higher concentrations of soluble peptides. The studies discussed in the current review report on the impact of covalent immobilization of AMPs onto surfaces through different chemical coupling strategies, length of spacers, and peptide orientation and concentration. The overall results suggest that immobilized AMPs may be effective in the prevention of biofilm formation by reduction of microorganism survival post-contact with the coated biomaterial. Minimal cytotoxicity and long-term stability profiles were obtained by optimizing immobilization parameters, indicating a promising potential for the use of immobilized AMPs in clinical applications. On the other hand, the effects of tethering on mechanisms of action of AMPs have not yet been fully elucidated. Therefore, further studies are recommended to explore the real potential of immobilized AMPs in health applications as antimicrobial coatings of medical devices.

1 November 2006 in Biomaterials
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
SRSofia N. Rodrigues
Sofia N. Rodrigues
IGInês C. Gonçalves
Inês C. Gonçalves
MMMaria Cristina Martins
Maria Cristina Martins
MBMário A. Barbosa
Mário A. Barbosa
BRBuddy D. Ratner
Buddy D. Ratner

1 January 2009 in Biomaterials
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
CBCristina Carvalho Barrias
Cristina Carvalho Barrias
MMMaria Cristina Martins
Maria Cristina Martins
GAGraça Almeida-Porada
Graça Almeida-Porada
MBMário A. Barbosa
Mário A. Barbosa
Pedro GranjaPedro Granja
Pedro Granja

13 April 2019
Verified
Book Chapter
Closed access
PDF file
FCFabíola Costa
Fabíola Costa
CTCátia Teixeira
Cátia Teixeira
Paula GomesPaula Gomes
Paula Gomes
MMMaria Cristina Martins
Maria Cristina Martins

29 August 2003 in Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
MMMaria Cristina Martins
Maria Cristina Martins
BRBuddy D. Ratner
Buddy D. Ratner
MBMário A. Barbosa
Mário A. Barbosa

1 May 2003 in Biomaterials
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
MMMaria Cristina Martins
Maria Cristina Martins
DWD Wang
D Wang
JJJ Ji
J Ji
LFL Feng
L Feng
MBM.A Barbosa
M.A Barbosa