New paper in Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics

Stephie and colleagues have recently published in Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics their work on the usage of polymer coatings on porous membranes to facilitate the in situ detection and treatment of, e.g., Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus infections.

Bacterial infections in wounds slow down the healing process and lead to increased morbidity in affected patients. Polymer coatings on porous membranes were investigated, which facilitate the in situ detection and treatment of, e.g., Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus infections. The theranostic approach relies on the thermoresponsive polymer poly(diethylene glycol methylether methacrylate) (PDEGMA). The increase of the wound temperature due to infection is targeted in this proof of concept study for triggering the release of the fluorescent antibiotic levofloxacin from bottle-shaped porous silicon (pSi) membranes capped with PDEGMA brushes. Below their lower critical solution temperature (LCST) the PDEGMA brushes are expanded and the levofloxacin release is significantly retarded. By contrast, above the LCST the PDEGMA brushes collapse and levofloxacin is released rapidly, which is detectable in solution owing to its fluorescence properties. The concomitant inhibition of bacterial growth agrees favorably with the drug release determined by fluorescence spectroscopy.

You can find out more in Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics, doi: 10.1002/macp.201600099