| Full text | |
| Author(s): |
Arque, Xavier
;
Torres, Marcelo D. T.
;
Patino, Tania
;
Boaro, Andreia
;
Sanchez, Samuel
;
de la Fuente-Nunez, Cesar
Total Authors: 6
|
| Document type: | Journal article |
| Source: | ACS NANO; v. 16, n. 5, p. 12-pg., 2022-05-24. |
| Abstract | |
The increasing resistance of bacteria to existing antibiotics constitutes a major public health threat globally. Most current antibiotic treatments are hindered by poor delivery to the infection site, leading to undesired off-target effects and drug resistance development and spread. Here, we describe micro- and nanomotors that effectively and autonomously deliver antibiotic payloads to the target area. The active motion and antimicrobial activity of the silica-based robots are driven by catalysis of the enzyme urease and antimicrobial peptides, respectively. These antimicrobial motors show micromolar bactericidal activity in vitro against different Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogenic bacterial strains and act by rapidly depolarizing their membrane. Finally, they demonstrated autonomous anti-infective efficacy in vivo in a clinically relevant abscess infection mouse model. In summary, our motors combine navigation, catalytic conversion, and bactericidal capacity to deliver antimicrobial payloads to specific infection sites. This technology represents a much-needed tool to direct therapeutics to their target to help combat drug-resistant infections. (AU) | |
| FAPESP's process: | 16/10585-4 - Mechanistic aspects regarding the induced decomposition of hydroperoxides and silylperoxides derived from lophine |
| Grantee: | Andréia Boaro |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate |
| FAPESP's process: | 19/15871-3 - Light emitting arginine derivatives as tags for antimicrobial peptides |
| Grantee: | Andréia Boaro |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate |