Tuning the antimicrobial activity of low molecular weight hydrogels using dopamine autoxidation

Cross, E. R., Coulter, S. M., Fuentes-Caparrós, A. M., McAulay, K., Schweins, R., Laverty, G. and Adams, D. J. (2020) Tuning the antimicrobial activity of low molecular weight hydrogels using dopamine autoxidation. Chemical Communications, 56(58), pp. 8135-8138. (doi: 10.1039/D0CC02569K) (PMID:32691773)

Abstract

We present a method to trigger the formation of dipeptide-based hydrogels by the simple addition of dopamine. Dopamine undergoes oxidation in air, reducing the pH to induce gelation. The production of polydopamine and release of reactive oxygen species such as hydrogen peroxide confers antimicrobial activity. Gel stiffness can be controlled by modulating the initial starting pH of the gelator solution. We can use this method to tune the antimicrobial activity of the gels, with gels that are less stiff demonstrating increased bactericidal efficacy against Gram-positive bacteria.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Adams, Dave and Cross, Miss Emily Ruth and McAulay, Dr Kate and Fuentes Caparros, Miss Ana Maria
• Authors: Cross, E. R., Coulter, S. M., Fuentes-Caparrós, A. M., McAulay, K., Schweins, R., Laverty, G., and Adams, D. J.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Chemistry
• Journal Name: Chemical Communications
• Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry
• ISSN: 1359-7345
• ISSN (Online): 1364-548X
• Published Online: 10 June 2020
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2020 The Royal Society of Chemistry
• First Published: First published in Chemical Communications 56(58): 8135-8138
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons licence

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