Antibiotic resistance is a prevailing problem in the fight against pathogenic bacterial infections. New treatment methods are needed to combat worldwide morbidity, but the search for novel antibacterial drug candidates is a persistent challenge. Glycomaterials have potential in this application since many pathogens adhere to glycans present on cell surfaces to initiate infection. Additionally, antibiotic polymers have demonstrated less susceptibility to bacterial resistance, broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, and enhanced biocompatibility when compared to traditional small-molecule antibiotics. We have synthesized a series of glycopolymers with four pendant monosaccharides (galactose, glucose, N-acetyl-glucose, and mannose) via ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) and evaluated their antibacterial activity. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assays revealed that the mannose-functionalized glycopolymers had the highest antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, with a MIC value of 1.25 mg L<sup>-1</sup>. Additionally, higher molecular weight polymers had improved antibacterial activity, possibly due to the cluster glycoside effect. These results suggest that certain glycomaterials have inherent antibacterial properties, which might be exploited to produce novel polymer antibiotics.

Synthesis of glycopolymers and evaluation of their antibacterial properties

ACS Spring 2022

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