Bacterial biofilms are a major cause of chronic infections associated with implanted medical devices and biomaterials. However, controlling biofilm formation remains challenging due to the high-level tolerance of biofilm cells to antibiotics and disinfecting agents. To overcome this grand challenge, we investigated how material properties affect bacterial adhesion using polymers with varying stiffness and specific topographic patterns. Based on the obtained results, we proposed a set of principles for rational design of antifouling surfaces and validated the design using protruding hexagonal patterns, which were found reduce biofilm formation of Escherichia coli by around 90%. Inspired by these findings, we further developed a new strategy based on dynamic topography using biocompatible shape memory polymers with micron-scale topographies. These surfaces can both prevent bacterial adhesion and remove established biofilms through rapid change in surface topography triggered by moderate shift in temperature, thereby offering more prolonged antifouling properties. We demonstrate that this strategy can achieve a total reduction of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms by 99.9% compared to the static flat control. It was also found effective against biofilms of Staphylococcus aureus and an uropathogenic strain of Escherichia coli. Such biofilm removal also sensitized the detached cells to conventional antibiotics, demonstrating a synergistic effect. Based on these findings, we further developed a new anti-fouling strategy using active topography with programmable beating of micron-size pillars. This approach demonstrated a similar level of antifouling activities as dynamic topography, but does not require temperature change and offers better long-term protection. A prototype catheter based on this design remained clean for more than 30 days under constant challenge of artificial urine with inoculated bacteria, while the control catheters were completely blocked within 5 days. Possible applications of such technologies will be discussed.

Rational design of anti-fouling surfaces to control bacterial biofilms

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.