Flea power could stop your hip replacement getting infected

The secret behind a flea’s superhuman jumping ability could soon be protecting patients from dangerous post-surgery infections.

Scientists at RMIT University have harnessed resilin — the stretchy protein that lets fleas leap more than 100 times their own height — to create a coating that completely blocks bacteria from sticking to medical implants.

The breakthrough research, published this week, showed the insect-inspired coating was 100 per cent effective at repelling nasty bugs like E.coli while playing nicely with healthy human cells.

Lead researcher Prof Namita Roy Choudhury said the discovery could revolutionise how we fight infections on everything from hip replacements to catheters.

“Antibiotic resistance has prompted greater interest in the area of self-sterilising materials and easy preparation of antibacterial surfaces,” Choudhury said.

“We designed this surface to completely prevent the initial attachment of the bacteria and biofilm formation to decrease the infection rates.”

The team discovered that when resilin proteins are formed into tiny nano droplets, they become bacterial bouncers — literally disrupting bug cell membranes until they leak and die.

Unlike traditional antibiotics, which bacteria can eventually outsmart, this mechanical approach makes it much harder for superbugs to develop resistance.

Dr Nisal Wanasingha said the coating works through “electrostatic forces” — essentially zapping bacteria on contact while leaving human tissue unharmed.

The protein’s natural origins also make it more environmentally friendly than silver-based alternatives currently used in some medical devices.

Potential applications include spray coatings for surgical tools, implants, catheters and wound dressings, though more testing is needed before clinical trials can begin.

The research was conducted with the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation.

Picture: supplied