![\"\"](\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Dr-H-Bouloussa-300x258.jpg\")
Dr. Houssam Bouloussa, DeBogy co-founder and vice president of operations, is a fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon. In his practice, he routinely encounters\u00a0patients suffering\u00a0from implant-related surgical site infections. These infections often require re-operating or other drastic methods.<\/p>\n
\u201cBone infections are extremely hard to eradicate,\u201d\u00a0Houssam\u00a0Bouloussa\u00a0says. \u201cThey raise a significant issue in terms of morbidity and mortality.\u201d<\/p>\n
Houssam Bouloussa connected with Othman Bouloussa, a world-renowned chemist who develops antimicrobial grafting techniques, and other researchers to build the DeBogy Molecular team.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe antimicrobial aspect was fundamental to me because I felt we needed to work together and bridge our different worlds,\u201d Houssam Bouloussa says. \u201cPhysicians are not used to working with chemists.\u201d<\/p>\n
Because of the chemistry of the molecules, DeBogy\u2019s molecules naturally bind to cellulose-based surfaces such as cotton and wood. Other surfaces like glass, metal, and plastics use additional processes to bind with the molecules.<\/p>\n
\u201cChemistry is in the DNA of our company,\u201d Bouloussa says. \u201cWe want a sort of marriage between the molecules and the surface.\u201d<\/p>\n
Company data demonstrates DeBogy\u2019s technology prevents the formation of biofilm, the leading cause of recurring infections.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur goal is to render any high-touch material permanently germ-free,\u201d DeBogy Molecular CEO Wayne Gattinella says.<\/p>\n
More Than Lab Space <\/strong><\/p>\n Originally based in Pittsburgh, DeBogy Molecular moved its research and development labs to Connecticut in October 2020, attracted to the opportunities offered by UConn\u2019s incubator and the state. TIP connects startups to state-of-the art resources at UConn and so many opportunities, according to the DeBogy Molecular team.<\/p>\n \u201cThe combination of UConn\u2019s world-class research facilities and real-world entrepreneurial collaboration is a perfect marriage of the academic and business communities,\u201d Gattinella says.<\/p>\n TIP has a strong commitment to incubating new innovation and connecting early stage companies with the resources to help them successfully commercialize their products, says Mostafa Analoui, executive director of venture development and UConn\u2019s incubator.<\/p>\n \u201cUConn is committed to supporting high-potential startups like DeBogy Molecular that want to locate in Connecticut to advance their technologies and their companies,\u201d says Analoui. \u201cWe\u2019re thrilled to be able to contribute in this meaningful way to economic development for our state.\u201d<\/p>\n The UConn location also affords DeBogy Molecular the opportunity to work closely with the University\u2019s internationally renowned researchers and industry partners from various fields.<\/p>\n \u201cConnecticut is fantastic in terms of the impact we can have,\u201d Bouloussa says. \u201cOur ability to tie the industry and the chemistry is ideal here. I don\u2019t think many other states offer this.\u201d<\/p>\n DeBogy Molecular is in active discussions with leading companies in the aerospace, automotive, construction, and entertainment industries to test their technology on surfaces relevant to these industries.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re looking to combine our patented surface modification IP with the product development and manufacturing expertise of industry leaders to create a superior product they can provide to their customers,\u201d Gattinella says.<\/p>\n Addressing the Present <\/strong><\/p>\n While DeBogy Molecular\u2019s technology was originally conceived for biomedical purposes, they are shifting focus to address the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n \u201cThe critical need for our anti-microbial technology has never been greater and we don\u2019t feel there\u2019s an adequate solution on the market,\u201d Gattinella says.<\/p>\n In addition to offering the potential to create self-sterile COVID-19-resistant surfaces, DeBogy\u2019s technology is environmentally friendly.<\/p>\n One problem with antimicrobial sprays and coatings is that they release toxic ions into the environment. DeBogy Molecular\u2019s molecules do not leech any toxic ions by nature of their chemistry and the fact that the process is permanent, eliminating the need for reapplication.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s possible to fight COVID without sacrificing the next generation,\u201d Houssam Bouloussa says.<\/p>\n Revolutionary Potential <\/strong><\/p>\n Gattinella, who has led several successful technology startups, including as CEO of WebMD, has learned the key to success is to maintain focus without putting on blinders to other opportunities.<\/p>\n \u201cSuccessful startups are able to balance continuing research and development with a short list of in-market opportunities, to support the important need for business development while not losing sight of the larger vision you began with,\u201d Gattinella says.<\/p>\n DeBogy\u2019s technology holds the potential to dramatically revolutionize how we think about antimicrobial surfaces.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want to disrupt the antimicrobial marketplace,\u201d Gattinella says. \u201cThe marketplace is characterized by temporary and inefficient sprays, wipes, and coatings.\u201d<\/p>\n Gattinella says this kind of progress is not far off.<\/p>\n \u201cI joined DeBogy because of the promise of the technology,\u201d Gattinella says. \u201cWith the proper resources and continued focus and strong partners we can get there quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Follow UConn Research on<\/em> Twitter<\/em><\/a> &<\/em> LinkedIn<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The newest member of UConn’s Technology Incubation Program (TIP) aims to change the way we think about sterile surfaces at home, at work, and in health care settings.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":68,"featured_media":166198,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_crdt_document":"","wds_primary_category":0,"wds_primary_series":0,"wds_primary_attribution":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2256,2235],"tags":[2257],"magazine-issues":[],"coauthors":[1902],"class_list":["post-166196","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-innovation","category-today-homepage","tag-innovation"],"pp_statuses_selecting_workflow":false,"pp_workflow_action":"current","pp_status_selection":"publish","acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-06-01 13:29:48","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/posts\/166196","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/users\/68"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=166196"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/posts\/166196\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":166199,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/posts\/166196\/revisions\/166199"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/media\/166198"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=166196"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=166196"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=166196"},{"taxonomy":"magazine-issue","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/magazine-issues?post=166196"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-rest\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=166196"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}