Antibacterial Nylon Polymer
5 February 2008, 15:32
Categories: bionanotech--nanobiotech coatings
The immune system includes peptides that apparently work by carpeting and disrupting the membrane of an invading pathogen. By mimicking the chemical structure of these peptide using different forms of nylon polymer, researchers at the University of Wisconsin have developed an easy-to-produce antibacterial material that might be used for clothing and coatings for biomedical devices.
The polymers appear to be attracted to the bacteria’s negatively charged membranes and then reshape themselves and punch holes in the membrane. Animal cells, on the other hand, are generally neutrally charged and appear not to be attacked by the polymers. The researchers found that the polymer could quite readily kill dangerous drug-resistant bacteria, such as vancomycin-resistant MRSA.
Posted by: The Editors
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