Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 24, 2025

High-throughput Identification of Bacteria Repellent Polymers for Medical Devices
Published on: November 5, 2016
Regenerable smart antibacterial surfaces: full removal of killed bacteria via a sequential degradable layer
Yangcui Qu1, Ting Wei, Jian Zhao
1State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Novel Functional Polymeric Materials, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Soochow University, 199 Ren'ai Road, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China. yuqian@suda.edu.cn.
Abstract:
Conventional antibacterial surfaces are becoming less effective due to the emergence of multidrug resistant bacteria; in addition, difficulties related to the accumulation of killed bacteria are generally encountered. To circumvent these problems, in the present work, an antibiotic-free and regenerable antibacterial hybrid film with both photothermal bactericidal activity and bacteria-releasing properties was fabricated on diverse substrates by sequential deposition of a gold nanoparticle layer (GNPL) and a phase-transitioned lysozyme film (PTLF). Due to the photothermal effect of the GNPL, the hybrid film was able to kill >99% of attached bacteria under near-infrared laser irradiation in 5 min. Moreover, the topmost PTLF layer could be degraded and detached from the surface by immersion in vitamin C solution for a short period, leading to removal of the killed bacteria and surface regeneration. The surface could be used and regenerated in this way through multiple cycles for long-term effective performance. The surface fabrication process is simple and environmentally friendly, and can be applied to diverse materials. These hybrid films thus offer a viable alternative for the killing and removal of adherent bacteria (particularly multidrug resistant bacteria) on the surfaces of medical devices for in vitro applications.
Related Concept Videos
Surface Membrane Barriers
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...
Biological Methods for Microbial Control
Chemical Agents for Microbial Control
Cleaning, Sterilization, and Disinfection
Cleaning
The cleaning process usually involves using water with detergents or enzymatic cleaner and removing foreign material from objects and surfaces, including organic material such as body fluids or inorganic material like soil. Cleaning is performed before high-level disinfection and sterilization because foreign materials on the cover of the devices interfere with process...
Bacterial Signaling
Physical Methods for Controlling Microbial Growth: Radiation and Filtration

