Presenter: Austin Tao

Faculty Sponsor: Vincent Rotello

School: UMass Amherst

Research Area: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Session: Poster Session 1, 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM, Concourse, B14

ABSTRACT

Engineered antimicrobial polymers provide a promising tool for fighting biofilm infections. The emergence of antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria poses a growing threat to global health. When left untreated, these pathogens can become more resistant by forming biofilms that can exacerbate chronic wound infections that can lead to sepsis. Biofilms form when different strains of bacterial cells aggregate and produce an extracellular matrix. The biofilm extracellular matrix is composed of extracellular polymeric substances that form intermolecular interactions, effectively protecting biofilm bacteria by further reducing the penetration and activity of antimicrobial agents and conventional antibiotics. Thus, the development of novel antimicrobial agents for the treatment of biofilm infections is urgently needed. This project presents highly effective engineered antimicrobial polymers. Engineered antimicrobial polymers offer alternative approaches to conventional antimicrobial agents and antibiotics, due to their tunable hydrophobic moieties. With careful engineering of hydrophobic and cationic domains, antimicrobial polymers effectively eradicate both planktonic bacteria and its biofilms counterpart. We explored a library of antimicrobial polymers with different degrees of hydrophobicity. Our amphiphilic polymers showing promising activity against planktonic MDR bacteria and excellent biofilm eradication. Importantly, engineered antimicrobial polymers facilitate membrane disruption mechanisms that can effectively combat bacterial resistance. Overall, engineered antimicrobial polymers provide an effective alternative to conventional antimicrobial agents for treating bacterial infections.