Hyperbranched poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) has been modified with antibiotic/antifungal end groups, forming a microorganism sensor. Pathogen binding triggers a detectable collapse of the polymer similar to the one observed by the polymers lower critical solution behaviour. Early diagnosis of infections is vital towards successful treatment, particularly in rural countries without medical infrastructure necessary to guide clinical decisions. Binding of the stimuli responsive polymer allows for quick detection and identification of pathogens, either by incorporation of a fluorescence dye to detect to polymer collapse or by viability assays. A range of fluorescence techniques have been utilised to study this collapse, demonstrating the way different degrees of branching affect the collapse of the polymer. Figure 1 � The fluorescence dye nile red responds to its hydrophilic environment. When used as a dye this demonstrating the conformational change between 20 and 25 oC, however when covalently attached directly to the polymer backbone conformational change occurs incrementally.

Bacteria and fungal binding by a fluorescent polymer probe

248th National Meeting (2014)

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