Photo-driven nanomedicines for combating bacterial biofilm infections
Photo-driven nanomedicines for combating bacterial biofilm infections
Photo-driven antibacterial therapies is a promising non-antibiotic approach to combat drug-resistant bacteria and biofilm-associated infections. However, the clinical translation of photo-driven therapies is constrained by several limitations, including insufficient reactive oxygen species generation and undesired inflammation caused by photothermal effects. In this thesis of Fan Wu, hydrogen-loaded N-heterocyclic carbene-stabilized AuPd nanoparticles are developed as a multifunctional photothermal antibacterial platform.
The electronic properties of the nitrogen atoms in the morpholine group of the N-heterocyclic carbene confer pH responsiveness, enabling pH-triggered activation at acidic bacterial infection sites. AuPd alloy nanoparticles provide strong photothermal effects for efficient bacterial eradication, while hydrogen stored in palladium eliminates inflammation induced by hyperthermia and bacterial infection. In addition, a bifunctional nanozyme based on single-atom Cu-anchored g-C₃N₄ nanosheets is constructed to enable cascade catalytic reactions that significantly enhance reactive oxygen species generation under light irradiation. This nanozyme exhibits highly antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative multidrug-resistant bacteria in planktonic and biofilm states.
Finally, the nanozyme is introduced into polycaprolactone by electrospinning to obtain nanofibers, which have been used as a dressing for bacterially infected wounds. Overall, this thesis provides metal-based photo-responsive antibacterial platforms by integrating antimicrobial efficacy with anti-inflammatory and tissue-protective functions, thereby providing valuable insights into the design of safer and more effective photo-driven therapies for future clinical applications.