#university of warwick
Bacteria-fighting polymers created with light
Hundreds of polymers that could kill drug-resistant superbugs in novel ways can be produced and tested with light, using a method developed at the University of Warwick. The new methodology may identify antimicrobials for a range of applications from personal care to coatings.
Researchers from the Department of Chemistry and Warwick Medical School developed a way to synthesise large libraries of polymers to make screening for antimicrobial activity faster, and without the need to use sealed vials.
By using multiple ‘building blocks’ in their polymers, new antimicrobials were identified – some of which appear to inhibit bacteria growth, contrary to predictions. The benefit of the method is that it allows screening of hundreds of different structures, enabling the researchers to 'go fishing’ for new properties, which in this case was antibiotic activity.
Antimicrobials are essential not just in the treatment of internal disease and infections, but also in personal care products, such as contact lenses or shampoo, in foods, or as topical creams.
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Photo: University of Warwick/Mark Garlick - An artist’s impression shows a red dwarf star with a gas giant planet, NGTS-1b, orbiting it against the backdrop of the Milky Way.
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