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Antimicrobial Characterization of Advanced Materials for Bioengineering Applications
08:08

Antimicrobial Characterization of Advanced Materials for Bioengineering Applications

Published on: August 4, 2018

Antibacterial effects of poly(2-(dimethylamino ethyl)methacrylate) against selected gram-positive and gram-negative

Lee-Anne B Rawlinson1, Sinéad M Ryan, Giuseppe Mantovani

  • 1UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Ireland.

Biomacromolecules
|December 23, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Poly(2-(dimethylamino ethyl)methacrylate) (pDMAEMA) shows antimicrobial activity by damaging bacterial membranes. This polymer is effective against Gram-negative bacteria and enhances erythromycin efficacy, offering potential for medical device coatings.

Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Medical device-associated bacterial infections pose a significant clinical challenge.
  • Antimicrobial coatings are a key strategy to mitigate these infections.
  • Poly(2-(dimethylamino ethyl)methacrylate) (pDMAEMA) is a promising cationic polymer for antimicrobial applications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of pDMAEMA against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
  • To elucidate the mechanism of action behind pDMAEMA's antimicrobial properties.
  • To investigate the influence of environmental factors like pH and temperature on pDMAEMA's activity.

Main Methods:

  • Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) determination.
  • Bacterial membrane permeabilization assays using specific dyes.
  • Flow cytometry for assessing bacterial internalization and cell cycle effects.
  • Investigating the impact of pH and temperature on antimicrobial activity.

Main Results:

  • pDMAEMA exhibited bacteriostatic activity against Gram-negative bacteria (MIC: 0.1-1 mg/mL).
  • Antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria varied and was pH-dependent.
  • pDMAEMA disrupted bacterial membranes, acting as a cationic biocide.
  • Combined use of pDMAEMA and erythromycin enhanced the latter's efficacy against Gram-negative bacteria.

Conclusions:

  • pDMAEMA demonstrates significant antimicrobial potential, particularly against Gram-negative bacteria.
  • Its mechanism involves membrane permeabilization and disruption.
  • The polymer's activity is modulated by pH and temperature.
  • pDMAEMA is a viable candidate for developing advanced antimicrobial coatings for medical devices.

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