Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWSBacterial infections and inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity are among the most common health problems worldwide and pose a growing medical challenge due to the increasing spread of antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Against this backdrop, innovative drug concepts are gaining importance, as they offer new targets for the prevention and treatment of oral infections while simultaneously reducing the use of conventional antibiotics. This is where the “LecDent” project comes in. In this project, the Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS in Halle (Saale) is developing innovative biotechnological active ingredients based on lectins derived from plants and macroalgae for the prevention and treatment of bacterial inflammation in the oral cavity.
The project has significant societal relevance. Given the global rise in antibiotic resistance and the projection that by 2050, approximately 92 million deaths could be attributed to microbial infections, there is a great need for alternative antimicrobial strategies. Lectin-based active ingredients have the potential to prevent bacterial infections at an early stage and to specifically target biofilms. As a result, they can make an important long-term contribution to improving oral health and alleviating the burden on healthcare systems.
Lectins are naturally occurring, carbohydrate-binding proteins that possess, among other things, antibacterial and biofilm-modulating properties. The research project harnesses the potential of lectins and aims to biotechnologically produce lectins derived from plants and macroalgae and to make them usable for the prevention and treatment of bacterial inflammation in the oral cavity. The research at Fraunhofer IMWS focuses on developing a controlled and scalable production platform that will enable the future use of these active compounds in medical applications.
A key focus of the project is the development and optimization of strategies for the heterologous expression, extraction, and purification of selected lectin candidates. To this end, two to three promising lectins are first identified; their genes are cloned and subsequently expressed in suitable host organisms such as Escherichia coli or yeasts. After extraction and purification, the lectins will be comprehensively characterized regarding their functional activity, stability, and antibacterial properties. “The targeted use of lectins opens new possibilities for influencing bacterial biofilms without relying on conventional antibiotics. With this, we are laying the foundation for innovative prevention and treatment concepts in dentistry," says Dr. René Schlesier, scientific staff member at the "Characterization of Medical and Cosmetic Care Products" group at Fraunhofer IMWS.
In addition to the molecular biology work, the efficacy of the lectins is being investigated for both dental and dermal applications. A central component of the investigations is the evaluation of their antibacterial as well as biofilm-reducing or biofilm-modulating effects. For this purpose, a customized in vitro test method developed at Fraunhofer IMWS is used, which enables application-orientated analysis of the active ingredients in a multispecies biofilm model. The lectins are then incorporated into suitable formulations for oral and dermal application and tested under conditions that closely mimic practical use.
(August 3, 2026)