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Updated: Feb 8, 2026

Nanomechanics of Drug-target Interactions and Antibacterial Resistance Detection
Published on: October 25, 2013
Antibacterial gold nanoparticle-based photothermal killing of vancomycin-resistant bacteria
Sin-Ge Wang1, Yen-Chun Chen1, Yu-Chie Chen1
1Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan.
Aim:
The extensive use of vancomycin has given rise to vancomycin-resistant bacterial strains, such as vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE). We aim to explore potent medical treatments that can inhibit the growth of VRE.
Materials & Methods:
Vancomycin-immobilized gold nanoparticles (Au@Van NPs) with polygonal shapes from one-pot reactions were generated within approximately 7 min.
Results & Discussion:
The as-prepared Au NPs exhibit not only antibacterial capability but also photothermal competence. The temperature of the sample solution containing the as-prepared Au@Van NPs can be raised by approximately 15°C under irradiation by a near-infrared laser (λ = 808 nm) within 5 min.
Conclusion:
The required amount of vancomycin on the as-prepared Au@Van NPs combined with near-infrared irradiation for inhibiting VRE is approximately 16-fold lower than that of free-form vancomycin.
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