Amphiphilic polymer therapeutics: an alternative platform in the fight against antibiotic resistant bacteria
Haruko Takahashi, Gregory A. Caputo, Kenichi Kuroda
Abstract
As we are on the cusp of the "post-antibiotic" era due to rapid spread of drug resistant bacteria, there is an urgent need for new antimicrobials that are not susceptible to bacterial resistance mechanisms. In this review, we will discuss the recent development of "polymer therapeutics" with antimicrobial activity. Learning from host-defence peptides, we propose the biomimetic design of synthetic polymers to target bacterial cell membranes, which act by compromising the membrane integrity. The discussion is extended to the future challenges and opportunities of antimicrobial polymers for clinical applications.
Topics & Concepts
AntimicrobialAntibiotic resistanceBacteriaAntibioticsAntimicrobial peptidesAmphiphileMicrobiologyBacterial cell structureNanotechnologyChemistryPolymerBiologyMaterials scienceOrganic chemistryCopolymerGeneticsAntimicrobial Peptides and ActivitiesAntimicrobial agents and applicationsClick Chemistry and Applications