When bacterial biofilms form at the interface of medical devices and the human body, they can cause life-threatening infections. In this context, antimicrobial polymers have re-entered the focus of the scientific community. As surface coatings, they might suppress bacterial proliferation. However, these polycationic surfaces are deactivated by adhesion of biomolecules and debris of dead bacteria. To overcome this problem, we developed the following concepts: 1) Microstructured bifunctional polymer surfaces: Colloidal and soft lithography were used to obtain bifunctional surfaces from cationic/antimicrobial and zwitterionic/protein-repellent poly(oxanorbornenes). Structure-property relationships for the interaction of these patterned polymer surfaces with bacteria and proteins indicate simultaneous protein-repellency and antimicrobial activity at pattern spacings of 1-2 µm, i.e. in the size range of bacteria. The materials were also fully cell compatible. 2) A one-component, simultaneously antimicrobial, protein-repellent and cell-compatible poly(oxanorbornene) was found. Polymer coatings made from this material showed no permanent adhesion for proteins, bacteria, or blood plasma in surface-plasmon resonance spectroscopy experiments. The coating could be attached to laboratory model surfaces and to real-life surfaces like polyurethane foam wound dressings. 3) Polymer surfaces that can regenerate their antimicrobial activity were made from multi-stacks consisting of alternating layers of antimicrobial and degradable polymers. Shedding of the top antimicrobial layer was enabled by degrading the layer underneath. Bacterial assays confirmed that the emerging layer was antimicrobially active.

Antimicrobial polymer surfaces to fight bacterial biofilm formation: From basic concepts to applications

2019 Spring National Meeting

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