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Biomimetic Networks with Enhanced Photodynamic Antimicrobial Activity from Conjugated Polythiophene/Polyisocyanide Hybrid Hydrogels

Year: 2020

Type: article

Abstract: Hybrid biomimetic hydrogels with enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS)-generation efficiency under 600 nm light show high antibacterial activity. The hybrid gels are composed of helical tri(ethylene glycol)-functionalized polyisocyanides (PICs) and a conformation-sensitive conjugated polythiophene, poly(3-(3'-N,N,N-triethylammonium-1'-propyloxy)-4-methyl-2,5-thiophene chloride) (PMNT). The PIC polymer serves as a scaffold to trap and align the PMNT backbone into a highly ordered conformation, resulting in redshifted, new sharp bands in the absorption and fluorescence spectra. Similar to PIC, the hybrid closely mimics the mechanical properties of biological gels, such as collagen and fibrin, including the strain stiffening properties at low stresses. Moreover, the PMNT/PIC hybrids show much higher ROS production efficiency under red light than PMNT only, leading to an efficient photodynamic antimicrobial effect towards various pathogenic bacteria.

Source: Angewandte Chemie International Edition

DOI: 10.1002/anie.201910979

Authors: Hongbo Yuan, Yong Zhan, Alan E. Rowan, Chengfen Xing, Paul H. J. Kouwer

Institutions: Hebei University of Technology, Radboud University Nijmegen, The University of Queensland

Language: English

Topic: Photodynamic Therapy Research Studies

Subfield: Cancer Research

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: National Natural Science Foundation of China, Department of Education of Hebei Province, Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province, Hebei Provincial Department of Bureau of Science and Technology