Activity and Toxicity of Antibacterial Polyurethanes: A Delicate Balancing Act of Polymer Structural Features

摘要

The results demonstrate that synthetic polymers designed to mimic the structural features of AMPs show similar antibacterial activity. The antimicrobial activity and mammalian cell toxicity of the polymers are affected by the physical properties of the polymers and very small changes in the hydrophobic/hydrophilic balance of the polymers affect their antibacterial activity and mammalian cell toxicity. The current study will provide fundamental insight into the parameters that affect the efficacy of synthetic antimicrobial polymers. In light of the increased incidence of drug-resistant strains of pathogenic bacteria such design insight will be critical for the design of the next generation of antimicrobial polymers.