New antibiotics with new methods of killing bacteria are necessary for our society to combat the increasing number of drug-resistant bacteria. In recent years, very few antibiotics have been introduced due to challenges identifying good bacterial targets and ensuring that these antibiotics do not lead to resistance development. Polymeric antimicrobials have potential as new antibiotics. This research examines the effect of the cationic functionality of methacrylate polymers with ammonium groups in the side chains on their antimicrobial activity. Cationic methacrylate polymers with various molecular weights were synthesized by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against several Gram-positive and negative bacteria was determined and  polymers were tested for lytic activity against red blood cells (hemolysis). Polymers have demonstrated bacterial strain specificity, as well as low hemolytic activity. Detailed studies on the mechanism of these antimicrobial polymers will also be discussed.

Cationic poly(methacrylate)s as anti-<i>Staphylococcal</i> agents

244th National Meeting (2012)

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Cationic poly(methacrylate)s as anti-Staphylococcal agents