Artificial polymers, like antibiotic peptides, need both hydrophobic and hydrophilic domains in their molecular structure to exert antibacterial activity. Now, researchers from Canada have synthesized a phosphonium polymer that challenges this view. As outlined in the journal Angewandte Chemie, their polymer salt contained no hydrophobic alkyl chains but still acted as an extraordinarily efficient biocide. A re-evaluation of established strategies in antibiotics polymer research might be necessary.
To combat multiresistant bacteria and discover new antibiotics, scientists increasingly turn to the design and exploration of short artificial polymers. As these polymers can mimic the powerful peptide antibiotics, Paul J. Ragogna and Beth Gillies at Western University, London, ON (Canada), and their groups focus on phosphorus-containing polymers, the polyphosphoniums. Their molecular structure consists of a hydrocarbon backbone and a positively charged phosphorus center in every repeat unit. A balanced display of hydrophobic alkyl chains and positive charges was considered essential for effective adhesion to bacterial cells and membrane disruption. Envisaging still more effective cell lysis, the scientists started to fine-tune this amphiphilic nature of the polyphosphoniums.
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