Reversibly switching the function of a surface between attacking and defending against bacteria.
Attack or defend! A smart polymer surface has two reversibly switchable equilibrium states, a cationic N,N-dimethyl-2-morpholinone (CB-Ring) and a zwitterionic carboxy betaine (CB-OH). CB-Ring will kill bacteria upon contact under dry conditions, whereas CB-OH will release the previously attached and dead bacteria and further resist adhesion of bacteria under wet conditions.
Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, 98195, USA.
Zhiqiang
Z
Cao
Luo
L
Mi
Jose
J
Mendiola
Jean-Rene
JR
Ella-Menye
Lei
L
Zhang
Hong
H
Xue
Shaoyi
S
Jiang
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D001622:Betaine / Q000737:chemistry; D002412:Cations / Q000737:chemistry; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects; D009025:Morpholines / Q000737:chemistry; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013499:Surface Properties
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D002412:Cations; D009025:Morpholines; D011108:Polymers; D001622:Betaine