Session: PMSE/POLY Poster Session:

Approximately 65-80% of all the chronic microbial infections are associated with bacterial biofilms. Biofilms represent an alternative mode of growth of bacteria as surface attached communities encased in a self-secreted protective matrix. This lifestyle triggers broad adaptive changes in the bacteria, causing them to be almost a thousand-fold resistant to conventional antibiotics and host immune responses, thus making the treatment of such infections extremely challenging. The failure of antibiotics against biofilms and growing antimicrobial resistance presents an urgent need to develop agents that eradicate biofilms and prevent biofilm formation. Herein, we present water soluble, peptidomimetic polyurethanes that can eradicate surface established bacterial biofilms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli, all of which show tolerance to convential antibiotics like ciprofloxacin and polymyxin. Furthermore, these polymers prevent bacterial attachment and stimulate bacterial surface motility to inhibit biofilm formation of a broad spectrum of bacteria at sub-inhibitory concentrations without being toxic to mammalian cells. We believe that these polymers show promise for development of therapeutics that specifically target biofilms for treatment of chronic biofilm associated infections.

Hazel Barton

Appearances