Anisotropy in Antimicrobial Bottle Brush Copolymers and Its Influence on Biological Activity |
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Authors: | Anne-Catherine Lehnen Sergio Kogikoski Jr. Till Stensitzki Ahmad AlSawaf Alain M. Bapolisi Martin Wolff Jonas De Breuck Henrike M. Müller-Werkmeister Salvatore Chiantia Ilko Bald Meike N. Leiske Matthias Hartlieb |
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Affiliation: | 1. Institute of Chemistry, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany;2. Institute of Physical Biochemistry, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany;3. Faculty of Biology Chemistry & Earth Sciences, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany |
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Abstract: | Antimicrobial polymers are a promising alternative to conventional antibiotics in the fight against antimicrobial resistance. Cationic bottle brush copolymers have shown to be superior to linear topologies in previous studies. Herein, the aspect ratio of such polymers is varied creating differently shaped confined unimolecular structures with varying degrees of side chain mobility. Using reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization, bottle brushes are produced in a one-pot procedure. The morphology is confirmed by atomic force microscopy. The hydrophobicity, as determined via high performance-liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis, is drastically influenced by the topology. Using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, it is found that polymers with a high side chain mobility and increased global hydrophilicity, are less hydrated, and have stronger intramolecular hydrogen bonds. A phase segregated morphology leading to unimolecular micellization is assumed. Biological tests reveal increased antimicrobial activity for such segregated polymers. Their excellent hemocompatibility results in highly selective antimicrobial polymers whose adaptability seems to be a key feature in their excellent performance. This study highlights the tremendous importance of structural control in antimicrobial polymers. |
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Keywords: | anisotropy antimicrobial polymers aspect ratio bottle brush copolymers RAFT polymerization |
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