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Updated: Mar 23, 2026

Biomimetic Materials to Characterize Bacteria-host Interactions
Published on: November 16, 2015
Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Star Polycarbonates Functionalized with Mannose for Targeting Bacteria Residing inside
Chuan Yang1, Sangeetha Krishnamurthy1,2, Jie Liu3
1Institute of Bioengineeringand Nanotechnology (IBN), 31 Biopolis Way, The Nanos, #04-01, 138669, Singapore.
Abstract:
In this study, a series of star-shaped polycarbonates are synthesized by metal-free organocatalytic ring-opening polymerization of benzyl chloride (BnCl) and mannose-functionalized cyclic carbonate monomers (MTC-BnCl and MTC-ipman) with heptakis-(2,3-di-O-acetyl)-β-cyclodextrin (DA-β-CD) as macroinitiator. The distributions and compositions of pendent benzyl chloride and protected mannose group (ipman) units are facilely modulated by varying the polymerization sequence and feed ratio of the monomers, allowing precise control over the molecular composition, and the resulting polymers have narrow molecular weight distribution. After deprotection of ipman groups and quaternization with various N,N-dimethylalkylamines, these star polymers with optimized compositions of cationic and mannose groups in block and random forms exhibit strong bactericidal activity and low hemolysis. Furthermore, the optimal mannose-functionalized polymer demonstrates mannose receptor-mediated intracellular bactericidal activity against BCG mycobacteria without inducing cytotoxicity on mammalian cells at the effective dose. Taken together, the materials designed in this study have potential use as antimicrobial agents against diseases such as tuberculosis, which is caused by intracellular bacteria.
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