Researchers at the University of Nottingham in the U.K. have discovered a new class of antimicrobial polymers that could coat medical devices such as catheters and prevent bacteria from attaching. As R&D Magazine reports, the scientists used technology developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology that allowed them to screen thousands of unique polymers until they spotted one that would suit their needs. Coatings that repel bacteria from med devices are thought to help reduce hospital-acquired infections, as bacteria form biofilms that can resist standard treatments such as antibiotics. Story