Almost 65% of all microbial infections in humans are associated with biofilms. Biofilms represent an alternative mode of growth of bacteria as surface attached communities encased in a self-secreted protective matrix. This lifestyle triggers broad adaptive changes in the bacteria, causing them to be almost a thousand-fold resistant to conventional antibiotics and biocides, thus making the treatment of such infections extremely challenging. Antimicrobial peptides have been heralded as the solution to both the growing antimicrobial resistance and biofilm associated infections. They have been shown to suppress several bacterial virulence factors including biofilm formation and are even capable of disrupting established biofilms. However, peptides inherently suffer from low bioavailability due to rapid proteolysis and decrease in activity under physiological conditions, making their clinical translation difficult. Herein, we present our work on designing water soluble, synthetic polyurethanes that mimic features of host defense peptides, show broad spectrum biofilm inhibition and can destroy surface established bacterial biofilms.

Water soluble, peptidomimetic polymers that disrupt surface established bacterial biofilms

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

[Author Benefits](https://scimeetings.acs.org/?utm_source=pubs_content_marketing&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=0320_MCF_NPI_Launch_Spring_Homepage&ref=pubs_content_marketing)

[How to use SciMeetings](https://storage.googleapis.com/dl.morressier.com/acs/SciMeetings-ACSSpring2020-HowToGuide_M3020-Final.pdf)

[Frequently Asked Questions](https://storage.googleapis.com/dl.morressier.com/acs/SciMtng_ACSNMSp2020_FAQ_M3120_Final.pdf)

ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

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