Host-guest self-assembly toward reversible visible-light-responsive switching for bacterial adhesion

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Biomaterials Engineering

Background:

• Visible light offers precise spatiotemporal control for biointerface applications, avoiding UV-induced damage.
• Developing switchable biointerfaces is crucial for versatile biomedical and biotechnological applications.
• Host-guest complexation provides a mechanism for reversible surface assembly.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a facile method for creating visible-light-responsive surfaces with switchable biofunctionality.
• To demonstrate reversible switching between antibacterial and bioadhesive properties.
• To explore the potential of host-guest self-assembly for creating advanced biointerfaces.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of azobenzene-functionalized polycation (Azo-PDMAEMA) and polyanion (Azo-PAA).
• Fabrication of a β-cyclodextrin (β-CD)-terminated substrate (Sub-CD).
• Visible-light-induced host-guest self-assembly of Azo-PDMAEMA and Azo-PAA onto Sub-CD.

Main Results:

• Azo-PDMAEMA exhibited antimicrobial properties, while Azo-PAA showed excellent bioadhesive properties.
• Visible light irradiation enabled reversible switching between the antibacterial and bioadhesive states via alternate assembly.
• The host-guest assembly strategy proved effective for creating switchable surfaces.

Conclusions:

• A simple and efficient method for manufacturing visible-light-responsive surfaces with reversible antibacterial and bioadhesive switching was established.
• The developed approach holds promise for creating multifunctional polymeric surfaces for diverse biomedical and biotechnological applications.
• This work highlights the potential of azobenzene-based host-guest chemistry for advanced biointerface design.