Multifunctional antimicrobial biometallohydrogels based on amino acid coordinated self-assembly

Song, J., Yuan, C., Jiao, T., Xing, R., Yang, M., Adams, D. J. and Yan, X. (2020) Multifunctional antimicrobial biometallohydrogels based on amino acid coordinated self-assembly. Small, 16(8), 1907309. (doi: 10.1002/smll.201907309)

Abstract

There is a real need for new antibiotics against self‐evolving bacteria. One option is to use biofriendly broad‐spectrum and mechanically tunable antimicrobial hydrogels that can combat multidrug‐resistant microbes. Whilst appealing, there are currently limited options. Herein, broad‐spectrum antimicrobial biometallohydrogels based on the self‐assembly and local mineralization of Ag+‐coordinated Fmoc‐amino acids are reported. Such biometallohydrogels have the advantages of localized delivery and sustained release, reduced drug dosage and toxicity yet improved bioavailability, prolonged drug effect, and tunable mechanical strength. Furthermore, they can directly interact with the cell walls and membrane, resulting in the detachment of the plasma membrane and leakage of the cytoplasm. This leads to cell death, triggering a significant antibacterial effect against both Gram‐negative (Escherichia coli) and Gram‐positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria in cells and mice. This study paves the way for developing a multifunctional integration platform based on simple biomolecules coordinated self‐assembly toward a broad range of biomedical applications.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Adams, Dave
• Authors: Song, J., Yuan, C., Jiao, T., Xing, R., Yang, M., Adams, D. J., and Yan, X.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Chemistry
• Journal Name: Small
• Publisher: Wiley
• ISSN: 1613-6810
• ISSN (Online): 1613-6829
• Published Online: 29 January 2020
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2020 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA
• First Published: First published in Small 16(8):1907309
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
174004		Multicomponent Supramolecular Hydrogels	Dave Adams	Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)	EP/L021978/2	Chemistry