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Updated: Jan 27, 2026

Isolation and Chemical Characterization of Lipid A from Gram-negative Bacteria
Published on: September 16, 2013
Cationic Amphiphiles with Specificity against Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacteria: Chemical Composition and
Alysha Moretti1, Richard M Weeks2, Michael Chikindas2
1Department of Chemistry , Rutgers University , Piscataway , New Jersey 08854 , United States.
Abstract:
Small-molecule cationic amphiphiles (CAms) were designed to combat the rapid rise in drug-resistant bacteria. CAms were designed to target and compromise the structural integrity of bacteria membranes, leading to cell rupture and death. Discrete structural features of CAms were varied, and structure-activity relationship studies were performed to guide the rational design of potent antimicrobials with desirable selectivity and cytocompatibility profiles. In particular, the effects of cationic conformational flexibility, hydrophobic domain flexibility, and hydrophobic domain architecture were evaluated. Their influence on antimicrobial efficacy in Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria was determined, and their safety profiles were established by assessing their impact on mammalian cells. All CAms have a potent activity against bacteria, and hydrophobic domain rigidity and branched architecture contribute to specificity. The insights gained from this project will aid in the optimization of CAm structures.
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